The Congress party on Sunday declared that they would not prevent any of their leaders from joining the diplomatic missions that will be dispatched to different nations in a bid to secure international sympathy for India’s zero tolerance approach towards cross border terror sponsored by Pakistan.
Call to Heed Conscience and Serve National Interest
The party further declared that the leaders shortlisted to represent the nation should listen to their conscience and actively contribute to the exercise.
Congress general secretary-in-charge (communications) Jairam Ramesh accused the government of politicising the selection of delegates. He criticized the government for selecting only one of the four Congress leaders nominated by the party, claiming they acted with “malicious intent.”
Congress Nominations vs Government Selections
The Congress nominated Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Syed Naseer Hussain, and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. Only Anand Sharma has found a place in the seven delegations that will travel to different countries.
Party-unpicked its leaders – Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Amar Singh and Salman Khurshid – were put on the list instead.
“They included only one leader out of the four names we sent. Four other names were added by the government, who are senior MPs and leaders of our party, they should listen to their conscience and contribute in the delegations,” Ramesh told PTI.
“For the Congress, national interest is paramount. This matter should not be stretched and more politicisation is not appropriate in this regard,” he added.
Kerala Congress Responds to Tharoor’s Participation
While the Kerala Congress has turned its back on the furore over Shashi Tharoor accepting the Centre’s invite to head a multi-party delegation overseas, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly VD Satheesan said, “A CWC member has a serious role. The central leadership of the party must voice its opinion on the issue. Whatever they have to say, we will present that.”
Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, however, asked Tharoor to use his “primary responsibility” as an MP of the Congress.
Addressing a local TV channel while talking, Radhakrishnan stated, “Naturally, he should go ahead with the knowledge and sanction of the party’s national leadership. He can still function in the international field, but that should not demote the party that he is presently representing.”
