Tharoor’s remark on Trump-Mamdani meet earns praise from BJP: ‘Will Rahul get message?’

Shashi Tharoor

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday sharpened its criticism of the Congress, asking whether Rahul Gandhi would “get the message” after party MP Shashi Tharoor praised an instance of political cooperation in the United States.

Tharoor had commented on a post showing US President Donald Trump hosting newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the White House, highlighting the value of honouring the voters’ choice and prioritising national interest.

“This is how democracy should work. Fight passionately for your point of view in elections, with no rhetorical holds barred. But once it’s over, & the people have spoken, learn to cooperate with each other in the common interests of the nation you are both pledged to serve. I would love to see more of this in India — and am trying to do my part,” Tharoor said in a post on X.

Framed as an appeal for greater post-poll cooperation, the remark swiftly drew a pointed response from BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla.

Sharing Tharoor’s post, Poonawalla wrote, “Once again Shashi Tharoor reminds Congress to put India First not Parivar. To behave democratically and not like sore losers. But will Rahul Gandhi get the message? One more Fatwa loading against Shashi???”

Once again Shashi Tharoor reminds Congress to put India First not Parivar To behave democratically and not like sore losers But will Rahul Gandhi get the message ? One more Fatwa loading against Shashi??? pic.twitter.com/LkBOacD0Yc

— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) November 22, 2025

This isn’t the first time Tharoor’s comments have given the BJP reason to criticise the Congress. His earlier praise of PM Modi’s speech had similarly invited objections from fellow Congress leaders – with senior Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit accusing Tharoor of straying from the party’s stand.

Dikshit challenged his colleague directly: “Why are you in Congress?”

Tharoor had on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Ramnath Goenka Lecture served as both an economic outlook and a cultural call to action, urging the nation to be restless for progress.

Noting that Prime Minister Modi appealed for a 10-year national mission to restore pride in India's heritage, languages and knowledge systems, Tharoor said he wishes the PM had also acknowledged how Ramnath Goenka had used English to raise a voice for Indian nationalism.

"Attended PM Narendra Modi's Ramnath Goenka Lecture at the invitation of @IndianExpress last night. He spoke of India's 'constructive impatience' for development and strongly pushed for a post-colonial mindset," he said on X.