‘On the same page’: Shashi Tharoor-Rahul Gandhi meeting signals truce amid Congress rift buzz

The interaction, described by Tharoor as routine, came as the new Parliament session got underway.

Ahead of the meeting, the Thiruvananthapuram MP dismissed media chatter suggesting strain in his relationship with the party leadership.

Speaking briefly to reporters in New Delhi, Tharoor questioned the unusual attention surrounding the meeting, stating that there was nothing remarkable about engaging with his own party leaders.

Closed-door talks last over an hour

According to sources, the meeting took place in Kharge’s chamber within the Parliament House complex and lasted for more than an hour.

Tharoor held discussions with both Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, with Congress general secretary KC Venugopal also present during the interaction.

The timing of the meeting was significant, coinciding with renewed reports of unease between Tharoor and sections of the Congress leadership, particularly over his recent public statements and political positioning.

‘Moving forward together’

Following the meeting, Tharoor took to the social media platform X to publicly underline unity within the party.

Sharing a photograph from the interaction, he described the discussion as warm and constructive, covering a broad range of issues.

Thanking both Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, Tharoor asserted that the leadership was aligned as the party moved forward, emphasising collective responsibility and service to the people of India.

Background of growing speculation

The meeting unfolded against the backdrop of sustained speculation that Tharoor felt marginalised within the party, particularly by state-level leadership.

Reports had suggested dissatisfaction over Rahul Gandhi allegedly not acknowledging him at a recent event in Kochi, fuelling rumours that Tharoor was exploring political options beyond the Congress.

Tharoor, however, has consistently rejected such claims, maintaining that any disagreements must be addressed internally.

He has stated that he intends to speak directly to the party leadership during the parliamentary session to formally place his views on record.

Admitting differences, rejecting public discord

A day earlier, Tharoor acknowledged that he does have concerns within the party but stressed that he has never deviated from the Congress’s stated positions in Parliament.

He reiterated that airing internal issues publicly would be counterproductive.

Calling for restraint, the four-time Lok Sabha MP urged against overinterpretation, noting that any unresolved matters would be addressed through appropriate party forums.

Operation Sindoor and political fallout

Separately, speaking at the Kerala Literature Festival, Tharoor defended his support for “Operation Sindoor,” stating he remained unapologetic about his stance.

He recalled writing a column after the Pahalgam terror attack, arguing that such acts required a firm and kinetic response.

Tharoor noted that it would be inconsistent for him to criticise an operation he had publicly endorsed, reaffirming his support during and after the military action.

Praise for PM and party unease

Tensions between Tharoor and the Congress leadership intensified following the Pahalgam terror attack last year, when his praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the crisis drew sharp criticism from within the party.

Several Congress leaders openly questioned his intentions, with some suggesting he was positioning himself closer to the BJP.

The strain deepened when Tharoor accepted a BJP invitation to lead a multi-party delegation abroad to brief friendly nations on the attack and India’s response—an opportunity not extended to any other Congress leader.

Shashi Tharoor meets PM Narendra Modi at Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi, June 10, 2025. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/PMO India

Controversies that followed

Relations appeared to worsen further in November, when Tharoor attended a private event addressed by the Prime Minister and later described the speech on X as a call for economic progress.

His comments triggered backlash from Congress leaders, prompting Tharoor to clarify that he had merely described the address without offering praise.

Another flashpoint emerged after Tharoor authored an article critiquing family-led political parties, a piece widely seen as uncomfortable for the Congress.

The BJP seized upon the article to attack the Gandhi family’s influence within the party.

A rift years in the making

While recent events have drawn attention, the underlying friction dates back to mid-2022, when Tharoor was part of the G-23 group that sought leadership reforms following successive electoral setbacks.

Although the group later lost momentum, Tharoor went on to contest the Congress presidential election, ultimately losing to Mallikarjun Kharge.

Despite these episodes, Tharoor has repeatedly asserted his loyalty to the party and its ideology, stating that his positions stem from a desire to strengthen India and the Congress alike.