As Parliament prepares for a pivotal debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor, speculation abounds over whether senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will join the discussion. When asked by reporters outside Parliament House on Monday, Tharoor cryptically replied in just two words: “Maunvrat, Maunvrat.” He neither offered any explanation nor took any further questions.
The remarks come at a time when political circles are abuzz with speculation about whether Tharoor, who recently led a parliamentary delegation to several countries, including the US, will speak on behalf of the Congress in the debate.
The recent complexities of Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, with the Congress have only added to the mystery. Tharoor’s support for the government’s swift action on the Pahalgam attack is believed to have led to disagreements within the party. However, the party leadership has not yet said whether Tharoor has been included in the list of speakers.
The monsoon session, which was affected by opposition uproar and adjournments in the first week, is now expected to focus on sensitive issues like national security and foreign policy from Monday. However, the session, which began at 11 am on Monday, had to be adjourned shortly after due to opposition protests.
Meanwhile, the Congress has made it clear that it is preparing to corner the BJP government at the Centre over Operation Sindoor. The party reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself should be present in Parliament when Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor are discussed.
The Congress, which has been demanding a detailed debate on the issue since the beginning of the monsoon session, is now increasing pressure on the government. Criticising the Prime Minister’s frequent foreign trips, the party’s communications chief Jairam Ramesh said, “After 48 hours, this ‘super premium frequent flyer’ will again start another foreign tour, which will further disappoint the people of Manipur.”
Recently, Prime Minister Modi returned from a four-day visit to Britain and Maldives, where he concluded a major free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK.
Last week on X Ramesh quipped, “Very soon this well-dressed Prime Minister will give his familiar message to the country outside the Parliament House before the start of the Parliament session, which will be full of empty rhetoric and posturing as usual.” He further added, “PM Modi is rarely seen in Parliament. He speaks only once a year on the motion of thanks on the President’s address. But this time, he should fulfill his responsibility towards the country by being present in Parliament during the discussion on a serious issue like Pahalgam-Operation Sindoor-President Trump.”
