Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says ‘my stand not pro-BJP, but pro-govt or pro-India on certain issues’

Shashi Tharoor clarifies his stance on issues, emphasizing pro-India views while affirming loyalty to Congress amidst party tensions.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday (January 30, 2026) said that his stand on certain issues may have been seen as pro-BJP by the media, but he has only seen it as pro-government or pro-India.

Mr. Tharoor said that he has made it clear in the past as well that on some international matters, he does not like to talk about politics and instead prefers to speak about the country.

"It is not something new, I have always said so," the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram told reporters here.

A row had erupted last year over his comments on the India-Pakistan conflict and the diplomatic outreach after the Pahalgam attack. His comments were at variance with the Congress’ stand and many party leaders took a swipe at him, questioning his intentions.

Mr. Tharoor, while speaking to reporters, also admitted that a party member should not go against the party line. "I have always stood with the party in Parliament and therefore, there is no need to be concerned," he said.

On being asked by reporters whether he can categorically state he will not leave the Congress party, Mr. Tharoor said, "I can say that I am going to be in the Congress and that I am not going anywhere. I will be part of the poll campaign (in Kerala) and will work for the victory of the UDF." "But, why is it that I am being asked to make such statements," he asked.