Party Claims BJP Ignored Agreed Nominations, Calls Move a "Dishonest" Exercise
New Delhi, May 17 — The Congress launched a sharp attack on the central government on Saturday, accusing it of “playing games” with a “mischievous mindset” after announcing names leading India's diplomatic outreach delegations post-Operation Sindoor. The party claimed that the government disregarded the four MPs it had officially nominated and instead named other individuals, including Shashi Tharoor.The controversy stems from the government’s decision to dispatch multi-party delegations abroad to present India’s firm stance on terrorism in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. While the Congress backed India’s position against terrorism, it accused the government of undermining political consensus by bypassing the agreed protocol.
Shashi Tharoor's Inclusion Sparks Internal Dissent
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP not among the four names submitted by the party, was appointed as head of a key delegation to the United States. This move prompted an apparent jibe from Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, who remarked, “Congress mein hona aur Congress ka hona mein zameen-aasmaan ka antar hai (There is a world of difference between being in the Congress and being of the Congress).”Ramesh also revealed that the government approached senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid separately, but he deferred the decision to the party leadership.
"We Sent Four Names, They Were Ignored": Congress
According to the Congress, the government had requested the names of four MPs from the party to join the overseas delegations. After consultation, the Congress submitted the names of Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain, and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. However, the party said it received no official communication afterward and only found out through a press release that different names had been finalized.Ramesh accused the government of indulging in “Narad Muni politics” and asserted, “You cannot include names of MPs in delegations without consulting the party.” He added that the move was not just undemocratic but also “dishonest” and “mischievous.”
Delegations Called a “Cosmetic Exercise”
At a press briefing at the Congress headquarters, Ramesh alleged that the entire delegation plan was a “diversionary and cosmetic exercise.” He reiterated that the Congress would not change the names it had proposed and criticized the government’s communication strategy.“First the government asked for names, then announced its own names. This shows that games are being played. We are playing with a straight bat, but we can't say how the government is playing,” said Ramesh, using a cricket analogy.
Demand for Special Parliament Session Ignored
The Congress further questioned the government’s intent, pointing out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to respond to letters from opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge demanding a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor.“Instead of calling an all-party meeting or a Parliament session, we suddenly hear about these delegations. It’s clear the government’s narrative is punctured,” Ramesh said.
Government Defends Move, Cites National Unity
In response, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs said the delegations are meant to project a united Indian stance on terrorism. Seven delegations, including representatives from both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc, will visit key partner nations.The ministry said leaders were chosen for their articulate voices and political experience. Distinguished diplomats will also be part of the delegations.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju posted on X, “In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united... A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences.”
The government emphasized that the visits are part of India’s diplomatic push to present a united front on cross-border terrorism following Operation Sindoor.
