Tharoor Says ‘I’m Not a Travel Agent’ as BJP Questions Rahul Gandhi’s Vietnam Trip

Tharoor Responds to BJP’s Criticism of Rahul Gandhi’s Vietnam Visit: ‘I’m Not a Travel Agent’

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor declined to comment on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s foreign visit amid ongoing protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. When asked about Gandhi’s travel plans, Tharoor told reporters that he was “not a travel agent.”

Tharoor was in Kerala when journalists questioned him about Gandhi’s decision to travel abroad during the political protests.

Explaining his reluctance to comment, Tharoor said, “I am not a travel agent. There is no point in asking me that question. Why did I leave Delhi and come here now? Every person has certain responsibilities. So, I cannot comment on that.”

Gandhi reportedly travelled to Vietnam for a four-day visit while protests against the Chief Election Commissioner were underway. His trip drew criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has repeatedly questioned his overseas visits during periods of political confrontation.

The BJP accused Gandhi of going on vacation after becoming tired of “shouting lies” during the protests in Delhi. The party also shared a video on X that purportedly showed the Congress leader aboard a flight to Vietnam, raising questions about the purpose of his foreign visits.

BJP leader Sambit Patra levelled further allegations against Gandhi, claiming that he had travelled abroad to receive guidance from billionaire philanthropist George Soros and his associates on allegedly pursuing regime change in India.

“Their master, their kingpin, Rahul Gandhi went abroad to take coaching classes from George Soros and company on how to destroy India, how to bring about a regime change, and where they slipped up,” Patra said. He further alleged that previous attempts had failed to secure public support and claimed that the opposition was now considering how to advance its agenda.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also questioned whether Gandhi’s overseas trip was intended as a holiday or an opportunity to meet what he described as his “chaos collaborators.”

Congress Defends Rahul Gandhi’s Overseas Visit

The Congress defended Gandhi’s decision to travel abroad, arguing that he has personal responsibilities as well as commitments as the Leader of the Opposition.

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit questioned the BJP’s criticism, pointing out that Gandhi has previously interacted with students at Yale University and in London, engaged with intellectuals and participated in media interviews during his international visits.

“Do others not travel outside on this day? Rahul Gandhi is an individual, the Leader of the Opposition; he has duties,” Dikshit said.

He added that Gandhi’s interactions with students and intellectuals abroad were part of his engagements and questioned why the BJP was objecting to his travel.

The controversy has once again brought Gandhi’s foreign visits into the political spotlight, with the BJP questioning the timing and purpose of his trip, while the Congress maintains that his travel should be viewed in the context of his personal and official responsibilities.