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Responding to Tharoor’s praise of PM Modi’s policies on Russia-Ukraine war, BJP took a jibe at the Congress leaders and said, “The Prime Minister ‘needs new haters’ as the old one are ‘becoming his fans’.”
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (PTI Image)
Shashi Tharoor’s praise of the government’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war has now became a talking point between the BJP and the Congress party, with the saffron camp taunting the grand old party saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “needs new haters” as the old one are “becoming his fans”.
Sharing the video clip of Tharoor where he can be seen praising PM Modi-led government for its policy on the Russia-Ukraine war, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya wrote, “Prime Minister Modi needs new haters…Old ones are turning into his fans.”
The BJP on Wednesday even projected Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s praise of the government’s move regarding the Russia-Ukraine war as an endorsement of India’s deft diplomacy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Former Union minister and Lok Sabha MP Ravi Shankar Prasad also described Tharoor’s acknowledgement that he has been proved incorrect in his early criticism of the government for not speaking out against the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a case of “better late then never.”
“The way Shashi Tharoor has accepted it, if other Congress leaders would also acknowledge it, then it will be good,” he added.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the government’s diplomatic skills are clear to everyone who understands foreign affairs and noted that Modi met the presidents of the two warring countries and drew similar warmth from both of them.
Tharoor’s ‘Egg On My Face’ Remark
Earlier on Tuesday, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor admitted that he was left with an “egg on his face” in opposing India’s stance when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out and said due to the policy that was adopted, the country is now in a position where it can make a difference for lasting peace.
He stated that the policy adopted by India following the outbreak of the conflict means that the country actually has a Prime Minister who can hug both the presidents of Ukraine and Russia two weeks apart and be accepted in both places.
“I am still wiping the egg off my face because I am one person in the parliamentary debate who actually criticised the Indian position at the time back in February 2022,” the Congress leader said.
Tharoor justified his changed stand on Wednesday and said he voiced his opinion as an Indian and does not see politics in that.
BJP Asks Congress Leaders To Learn From Tharoor
Responding to Tharoor’s statement, BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra said all Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi, as well as the other leaders of the INDIA opposition bloc should learn from Tharoor and appreciate him for his stand.
They should also appreciate India’s “unique diplomatic position” under Modi’s leadership, he said, adding, “Tharoor understands diplomacy. He has worked for a long time in the United Nations. Today, he has appreciated the Prime Minister’s decision,” Patra said.
(With agency inputs)
