Govt Ignored Cong List, Added Tharoor in MP Delegation List: Jairam Ramesh
This comes after the government named Congress MP Shashi Tharoor among seven MPs selected to represent India at global forums, where they would brief leaders on Operation Sindoor.
By : ANI
Update: 2025-05-17 08:28 GMT
New Delhi: Asserting that the Congress is "not going to change" the names of four MPs proposed for foreign delegations to explain India's stance on terrorism emanating from Pakistan, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Saturday called the government's move "dishonest."
This comes after the government named Congress MP Shashi Tharoor among seven MPs selected to represent India at global forums, where they would brief leaders on Operation Sindoor.
"We were asked for names. We expected that the names we had given would be included. But when we saw the PIB press release, we were surprised. Asking for four names, receiving four names, and announcing someone else is dishonest on the government's part," Ramesh said.
He added, "We are not going to change these four names. It is possible that Mr Rijiju spoke to Rahul ji and Kharge even after the government had made up its mind. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. But what happened is dishonest."
Ramesh detailed that Rahul Gandhi had written a letter on Tuesday at 12:30 pm to Kiren Rijiju after discussions with Mallikarjun Kharge, proposing the names of Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Raja Barar, and Naseer Hussain.
He stressed that “there is a huge difference between being in Congress and being of Congress,” implying Tharoor’s inclusion was unilateral.
From April 22, the Congress had been demanding an all-party meeting on the issue. "Two meetings were held, but they were mere formalities. The PM did not attend. We even called for a special Parliament session. The idea was to present a united national stance, but the PM remained silent."
Ramesh alleged that the government's announcement of an all-party delegation without proper consultation was a sign of changing narratives and lack of sincerity.
He recalled that in 1971, former PM Indira Gandhi had personally led India’s diplomatic outreach during the Bangladesh crisis, even inviting opposition leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan to join delegations.
He demanded that the government now call an all-party meeting and convene a special Parliament session to reaffirm the 1994 resolution on Pakistan. He also questioned the PM’s silence on relations with the U.S. and Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, Jairam Ramesh reiterated that the Congress had submitted four names for the foreign delegation, which did not include Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, however, named Tharoor among the final list of MPs for the global briefings. Tharoor has accepted the government’s invitation.
This comes after the government named Congress MP Shashi Tharoor among seven MPs selected to represent India at global forums, where they would brief leaders on Operation Sindoor.
"We were asked for names. We expected that the names we had given would be included. But when we saw the PIB press release, we were surprised. Asking for four names, receiving four names, and announcing someone else is dishonest on the government's part," Ramesh said.
He added, "We are not going to change these four names. It is possible that Mr Rijiju spoke to Rahul ji and Kharge even after the government had made up its mind. I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. But what happened is dishonest."
Ramesh detailed that Rahul Gandhi had written a letter on Tuesday at 12:30 pm to Kiren Rijiju after discussions with Mallikarjun Kharge, proposing the names of Anand Sharma, Gaurav Gogoi, Raja Barar, and Naseer Hussain.
He stressed that “there is a huge difference between being in Congress and being of Congress,” implying Tharoor’s inclusion was unilateral.
From April 22, the Congress had been demanding an all-party meeting on the issue. "Two meetings were held, but they were mere formalities. The PM did not attend. We even called for a special Parliament session. The idea was to present a united national stance, but the PM remained silent."
Ramesh alleged that the government's announcement of an all-party delegation without proper consultation was a sign of changing narratives and lack of sincerity.
He recalled that in 1971, former PM Indira Gandhi had personally led India’s diplomatic outreach during the Bangladesh crisis, even inviting opposition leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan to join delegations.
He demanded that the government now call an all-party meeting and convene a special Parliament session to reaffirm the 1994 resolution on Pakistan. He also questioned the PM’s silence on relations with the U.S. and Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, Jairam Ramesh reiterated that the Congress had submitted four names for the foreign delegation, which did not include Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, however, named Tharoor among the final list of MPs for the global briefings. Tharoor has accepted the government’s invitation.