Shashi Tharoor praises PM Modi again, triggering political buzz and Congress displeasure. What he said, why it matters, and what’s next.

Indian politics today is so unpredictable that even weather forecasts look more stable. And Shashi Tharoor praising PM Modi again? Well, that’s the kind of plot twist that could give daily soaps a run for their TRPs.

Tharoor likes the PM’s speeches — Congress likes… to panic.

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Shashi Tharoor Praises PM Modi, Again — And The Party Isn’t Thrilled

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor once again found himself at the centre of political turbulence after he publicly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent address at the Ramnath Goenka Lecture in Delhi.

This isn’t the first time. And given how things work inside the Congress ecosystem, it definitely won’t be the last time his compliments trigger storms.

Even global publications like BBC Politics often note how intra-party tensions shape Indian political narratives, making this episode fit right into the larger pattern.

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What Exactly Did Shashi Tharoor Say?

In a post on X, Tharoor said he was “glad to have been in the audience” when the PM spoke about India’s constructive impatience for development and the urgency to break away from a post-colonial mindset.

He summarized the PM’s message:

• India is no longer just an “emerging market.”
• It is becoming an emerging model for the world.
• India has shown resilience through the pandemic and the Ukraine conflict.
• The nation needs to shed Macaulay-era “slave mentality.”

Tharoor didn’t paraphrase — he amplified.

And that’s where the trouble begins.

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Why Congress Is Uncomfortable

Senior Congress leaders are reportedly unhappy, because:

• This isn’t Tharoor’s first praise of the PM.
• He has become increasingly “independent-minded.”
• His compliments seem to overshadow official party lines.

Ties between Tharoor and the party leadership have worsened in recent months — especially after he represented India in multiple government delegations abroad following the Pahalgam terror attack.

Those visits, too, sparked chatter about whether he was becoming too close to the government.

Political analysts, including those at Carnegie India who often study India’s political dynamics, have long observed his unique positioning within Congress — intellectually admired, politically unpredictable.

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Inside the Event: What PM Modi Actually Said

PM Modi’s speech at the Ramnath Goenka Lecture focused on:

• Colonial impact on India’s education system.
• Thomas Macaulay’s decisions in 1834 that reshaped Indian schooling.
• How British education policies damaged Indian pride, cultural identity, and confidence.
• The need for a 10-year national mission to restore heritage, languages, and knowledge systems.

He emphasised that:

• India’s traditional education system nurtured skill and cultural pride.
• Macaulay “broke the backbone” of India’s indigenous learning.
• British policies filled Indians with inferiority.
• India must reclaim its cultural confidence.

According to Tharoor, the speech was a mix of:

• Economic outlook
• Cultural call to action
• Encouragement to be “restless for progress”

And he admitted openly:
“Glad to have been in the audience.”

That line was enough to set off alarms in his party.

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The Visuals Made It Even More Interesting

Images from the event showed:

• Tharoor sitting comfortably with BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad
• Former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on his other side

The body language looked cordial, even friendly — a detail that didn’t go unnoticed.

Congress circles reportedly felt these optics were too warm for comfort.

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Why Tharoor’s Praise Feels Like a Pattern

Tharoor has praised the PM before.
He has praised foreign policy decisions, Operation Sindoor outcomes, and India’s diplomatic energy.

He has also called the PM a “prime asset” in one context — a quote that resurfaced after the PMO reshared an article quoting him.

So this isn’t a slip of the tongue.
It’s more like a signature Tharoor move: speak his mind, no matter the party mood.

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Why Is Tharoor Doing This?

There are a few possibilities:

1. He genuinely appreciates well-framed speeches

Tharoor is a scholar-politician.
He may simply admire strong articulation — even from political opponents.

2. He’s positioning himself differently within Congress

As Congress shifts internally, Tharoor often projects a more centrist, statesman-like image.

3. He wants to maintain bridges across parties

Given his diplomatic experience, he prefers not to burn bridges — especially with those in power.

4. He is ideologically flexible on cultural-civilisational issues

Many of the themes PM Modi spoke about — post-colonial mindset, cultural revival — are topics Tharoor himself has written about extensively.

In fact, his own books explore India’s civilisational identity in depth.

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Congress Reaction: Silent, But Loud Enough

There hasn’t been a public reprimand.

But insiders believe:

• Senior leaders are irritated
• Comments are being “noted”
• His future organisational roles may be affected

Congress likes discipline.
Tharoor likes nuance.

That’s a complicated marriage.

Political shifts like these are often tracked by institutions like The Hindu Centre for Politics and Public Policy which analyse India’s party structures — and Tharoor’s case fits the “internal dissent vs public admiration” dilemma perfectly.

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Tharoor–Congress Relationship: Now More Strained

The strain began when Tharoor:

• Was chosen as a government delegation member to five major nations
• Was debriefed directly by the PM afterward
• Continued to make public praise of the PM’s style and leadership

Many Congress leaders saw this as going too far.

To be fair, Tharoor has also criticised the BJP on multiple issues.
But within his party, the perception today is:
He praises Modi more than Congress prefers.

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Does This Mean He Might Switch Parties?

Rumours exist.
Reality says otherwise.

Here’s why:

• Tharoor’s ideological footprint matches Congress more than BJP
• His brand thrives on liberal-centrist identity
• He has repeatedly said he is committed to Congress
• A switch would dilute his intellectual independence

But yes, the speculation adds spice to the story.

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The Real Message Behind the Praise

Tharoor’s praise isn’t about switching sides.
It’s more about:

• Encouraging cross-party appreciation
• Supporting good ideas, regardless of their source
• Projecting a national-interest-first image

And frankly, it’s refreshing to see political praise in a landscape often dominated by insults.

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FAQs (Featured Snippet Ready)

1. Why did Shashi Tharoor praise PM Modi?

He appreciated the PM’s speech on India’s post-colonial mindset, development urgency, and cultural revival.

2. Why is Congress upset with Tharoor?

Because this is not the first time he has praised the PM, creating discomfort within the party.

3. Does Tharoor plan to join BJP?

There is no evidence. He remains in Congress and says he is committed to the party.

4. What did PM Modi say in the lecture?

He spoke about colonial impact on education, India’s heritage, and the need to restore confidence.

5. Why was Tharoor’s presence in the audience significant?

Because visuals showed him sitting comfortably with BJP leaders, adding to the political buzz.

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Conclusion: A Compliment That Echoed Across Parties

Shashi Tharoor’s praise of PM Modi wasn’t just a compliment.
It was:

• A political signal
• A cultural acknowledgement
• A diplomatic move
• And a reminder that politics can have moments of grace

But it also deepened rifts inside Congress.

What happens next?
That depends on whether the party chooses discipline — or dialogue.

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If you enjoyed this breakdown, share it with friends who follow Indian politics!
Tell us in comments: Do you think Tharoor is being honest — or strategic?
Stay tuned for more sharp, simple, and engaging political explainers.

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