‘We Weren’t Elected to Disrupt’: Shashi Tharoor Slams Opposition’s Parliamentary Conduct

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has once again signalled discomfort with his party’s combative approach in Parliament, openly criticising frequent disruptions.

That have stalled proceedings through the Winter Session. His remarks have revived questions about his growing divergence from the Congress’s broader parliamentary strategy.

Addressing the ongoing logjam, Tharoor reiterated that he has always believed lawmakers are elected to debate constructively, not to derail House business. “From the very beginning, I have held this view, and my party leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, are fully aware of it. I may be the only one in the party saying this, but I firmly believe people have elected me to speak for them thoughtfully in Parliament, not to shout or disrupt proceedings,” he said.

The Opposition, led by the Congress, has repeatedly forced adjournments in recent days while demanding discussions on issues including the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the nationwide flight disruptions. The BJP has blamed the impasse on what it calls deliberate obstruction, pointing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s opening-day caution against “drama” in the House.

Tharoor’s comments are expected to trigger pushback within the Congress, where some leaders view his stance as inadvertently bolstering the government’s narrative. He has drawn criticism earlier as well for positions perceived as divergent from the party line, including occasional praise for Prime Minister Modi.

Speculation about internal strains had intensified after Tharoor missed two key party meetings, though he later clarified that he was in Kerala to care for his elderly mother. More recently, his positive assessment of the Prime Minister’s address at the Ramnath Goenka Lecture drew strong reactions from colleagues who questioned his consistency with Congress messaging.

Despite these tensions, Tharoor remains an influential voice in national politics. A four-term MP from Thiruvananthapuram, he continues to enjoy significant support, particularly among younger voters, and was the runner-up in the Congress presidential elections against Mallikarjun Kharge.