'Crossed lakshman rekha': Congress distances itself from Tharoor’s remarks on ceasefire with Pakistan

Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has praised Centre’s measures for Operation Sindoor

The Congress has distanced itself from Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor’s remark that India would never allow third-party mediation in its bilateral issues with Pakistan

Speaking about Tharoor’s  remark, Congress leader Ramesh told NDTV, "It is his opinion. When Tharoor saab speaks, it is not the party's opinion."

The opposition has been requesting an all-party meeting to question the government regarding US President Donald Trump's claims that his administration helped broker a "ceasefire" between India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan reached an understanding on Saturday to end the military conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.

Indian government sources have maintained that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions, and no third party was involved.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had not mentioned the US in statements following the ceasefire.

Tharoor has been praising Operation Sindoor, in which the Indian Armed Forces conducted precise strikes at 9 "known terror targets" in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. On India accepting Pakistan's ceasefire request, Tharoor said that India wanted to teach a lesson to Pakistan and a "lesson has been taught."

“Peace is essential. I am very glad, India never wanted a long-term war. India wanted to teach terrorists a lesson, I believe that lesson has been taught. The other details are awaited,” news agency ANI quoted Shashi Tharoor.

According to a PTI report quoting sources, a section of Congress leaders feel the senior leader has crossed "Lakshman Rekha" this time. The term Lakshman Rekha originates Ramayana, loosely meaning"boundary".

"For the last few days, the Congress party has been asking why US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. This is happening for the first time. PM Modi does not say anything on this. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says that America's role was so important that it was because of them that this war stopped. External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar does not even answer this. We are continuously asking why PM Modi and the External Affairs Minister are not answering what the role of America is," Ramesh told NDTV.

BJP praises Tharoor

In a post on X, BJP leader Amit Malviya said “it is ironic that Tharoor is perhaps the only Congress leader who made sense and stood with India in this situation”.

"Yet, the coterie around Rahul Gandhi - currently running the affairs of the Congress party - seems unwilling to acknowledge one of their senior-most MP, who even ran for the Congress president's post not too long ago. What a pity. This is what happens when small men, with an exaggerated sense of self-importance, come to occupy high offices in politically irrelevant parties," he said.