Shashi Tharoor faces backlash for attending Putin banquet as LoPs excluded

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is facing criticism after attending a state banquet hosted for Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, even as Leaders of Opposition in both Houses, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, were reportedly not invited. The controversy has sparked calls within the party for Tharoor’s removal from key parliamentary positions.

Tharoor, who is the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, confirmed that he had been invited and attended the official dinner. He defended his decision, noting that inviting the committee chairman had been a longstanding practice, though it had lapsed in recent years. “I have been invited, yes. I have attended and it was an honour,” he told reporters.

Congress leaders argue that by attending the banquet while the party’s top parliamentary leaders were excluded, Tharoor undermined the party’s stance and breached internal protocols. Pawan Khera, head of the party’s media and publicity department, said, “If our LoPs are not invited and others accept such invites, we must question our conscience. Politics has been played even in sending invitations, and those who accept such an invite are also accountable.”

Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit added, “It is not surprising that Tharoor ji is going; he is invited often and it is his choice to attend or not, but the LoP not being invited is an issue. Both the ruling and opposition sides should be represented, especially for countries like Russia.”

Rahul Gandhi criticised the government for excluding the Leaders of Opposition, saying it actively prevents foreign dignitaries from meeting them. “In the past, visiting leaders always met the LoP, during the Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh governments. Today, the government discourages such meetings,” he said, describing the omission as a sign of “insecurity.”

Discussions are underway within the party about whether Tharoor should be relieved from his parliamentary committee role. The debate underscores ongoing tensions within Congress over protocol, representation, and political symbolism, particularly during high-profile foreign visits.