Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor called for an end to "dynasty politics", with a move towards "meritocracy". This drew a sharp response from some members within the party.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari went on to cite examples of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, who sacrificed their lives. Further, asking Tharoor to name any other family in the country that has the dedication and ability to that of the Nehrus.
Tiwari stated, "Leadership always comes from merit. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the most capable Prime Minister of this country. Indira Gandhi proved herself by sacrificing her life."
He asked, "Rajiv Gandhi served this country by sacrificing his life. So, if someone talks about the Gandhi family as a dynasty, then which other family in India had the sacrifice, dedication, and ability that this family possessed? Was it the BJP?"
Another Congress leader, Rashid Alvi, interjected at Tharoor's statements, saying that people make decisions in a democracy, and just because someone's father was an MP, that doesn't mean they can be stopped from contesting.
He added, "The public decides in a democracy. You cannot impose a restriction that says you cannot contest elections because your father was an MP. This is happening in every field. What way will you find this?"
Congress's Udit Raj pointed out that a dynastic approach is followed in every field, let alone politics. He explained, "A doctor's son becomes a doctor, a businessman's child continues in business, and politics is no exception. Also, if a politician has a criminal background, it reflects the reality of our society. Election tickets are often distributed along caste and family lines."
What did Tharoor say?In an article, Tharoor highlighted that, as the Nehru-Gandhi family is associated with Congress, dynastic succession exists throughout the political sphere. Further pointing out that if political power is driven by lineage, rather than ability, commitment, or engagement at a grassroots level, it is the quality of governance that suffers.
Adding that the influence of the Nehrus and Gandhis, including India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi, followed by LOP Rahul Gandhi and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is bound with the history of India's freedom struggle.
Tharoor stated, "But it has also cemented the idea that political leadership can be a birthright. This idea has penetrated Indian politics across every party, in every region, and at every level."
BJP joins inFollowing Shashi Tharoor's statements, the BJP chipped in, calling his article a "very insightful piece" on how Indian politics has become a family business.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said, "He (Tharoor) has launched a direct attack on India's nepo kid Rahul and chhota nepo kid Tejashwi."
It has been some time, ever since Tharoor has had a strained relationship with the Congress, ever since he contested in the party's presidential election against Mallikarjun Kharge. Time and again, his remarks reflect the differing opinions.
It seemed more intense when Tharoor's name wasn't included in the list of Congress leaders up for the discussion on Operation Sindoor, despite being one of the senior, intellectual, and highly influential figures. However, Tharoor was a part of India's delegation to the United States and other countries of the American continent.
His recent remarks and social media posts questioning the party's leadership also shed light on the deepening rift.