Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has defended the legacy of former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, urging that his decades of public service not be defined by one controversial episode.

“Reducing his long years of service to one episode, however significant, is also unfair. The totality of Nehruji's career cannot be judged by the China setback, nor Indira Gandhi's by the Emergency alone. I believe we should extend the same courtesy to Advaniji,” Tharoor wrote on X.

The statement came as Tharoor wished the veteran BJP leader on his 98th birthday on November 8, calling him “a true statesman” and praising his “unwavering commitment to public service, modesty, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India.”

Backlash over remarks on Advani

Tharoor’s message prompted criticism from several quarters. Supreme Court advocate Sanjay Hegde accused him of “whitewashing history,” referencing Advani’s 1990 Ram Rath Yatra.

“Sorry Mr Tharoor, unleashing the ‘dragon seeds of hatred’ (to quote Khushwant Singh) in this country is NOT public service,” Hegde wrote on X.

Responding, Tharoor argued that political legacies should be judged in totality. The debate highlighted differing interpretations of Advani’s controversial campaign, which was launched from Somnath in Gujarat on September 25, 1990, and halted in Bihar by then Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Two years after the Yatra, the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished on December 6, 1992. The Ram Temple was later inaugurated on January 22, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Modi’s birthday wishes to Advani

Prime Minister Modi also visited Advani on his birthday, describing him as “a statesman blessed with towering vision and intellect.”

“Advani Ji's life has been dedicated to strengthening India's progress. He has always embodied the spirit of selfless duty and steadfast principles,” Modi posted on X, praying for the BJP veteran’s long life and good health.

Tharoor’s recent remarks unsettle Congress

Tharoor has recently drawn attention for remarks perceived as favourable to the BJP, RSS, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His public comments on sensitive issues—including the Pahalgam terror attack, the Emergency, and the RSS’s stance on the Manusmriti—have raised eyebrows within his party.

In a newspaper article, he described Modi’s “energy” and “dynamism” as positive for India’s global image, prompting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to remark, “We say nation first, but some consider Modi first, country later.”

Defending his stance, Tharoor maintained that his comments stemmed from national interest, not political allegiance. His cryptic post—“Don’t ask permission to fly. The wings are yours. And the sky belongs to no one”—further fuelled speculation about his political positioning.

Congress grapples with internal unease

Within Kerala, many Congress leaders view Tharoor’s independent approach as out of sync with the party line. Sources suggest his statements create confusion ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, as the party seeks cohesion during a crucial campaign phase.

Congress Working Committee member K. Muraleedharan was among those critical of Tharoor’s actions, saying, “He should first decide which party he belongs to.” The remark followed Tharoor’s social media post sharing a pre-poll survey with a folded hands emoji.

Survey shows Tharoor leads among UDF voters

According to the Vote Vibe survey conducted across Kerala with over 10,000 respondents, nearly 48 per cent expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Among United Democratic Front (UDF) supporters, Shashi Tharoor emerged as the preferred chief ministerial candidate with 28.3 per cent support, ahead of Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan at 15.4 per cent. On the LDF side, former health minister K.K. Shailaja polled higher than Vijayan, who managed only 17.5 per cent.

Muraleedharan, however, downplayed the survey, asserting, “The chief minister will be from the UDF” if the alliance comes to power, adding that candidate selection will follow the party’s internal framework—not public opinion polls.