New Delhi: Shashi Tharoor will attend the state banquet hosted on Friday night for Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were left off the guest list, sparking sharp criticism within the party. Congress sources confirmed that the four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram has accepted the government’s invitation, a move that has triggered internal unease amid strained relations between Tharoor and the party leadership.

Tharoor said his presence at the event reflected the protocol extended to the head of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs – a position he currently holds. However, the absence of invitations to the Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses has reignited accusations that the government is sidelining senior opposition figures.

Congress leaders left out

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh clarified on Friday that neither Rahul Gandhi nor Mallikarjun Kharge had been invited to the formal dinner. “The two LoPs have not been invited,” he said, following speculation over whether the Opposition leaders had been included in the guest list for Putin’s visit.

Pawan Khera, who heads the party’s media and publicity department, accused the government of disregarding long-standing democratic norms. “There is no invite to both the LoPs, Mr (Mallikarjun) Kharge and Mr (Rahul) Gandhi. This comes as a surprise but I don't think we should be surprised. This government is known to be breaching all protocols,” he said, questioning the motives behind what he described as selective invitations.

Tharoor’s acceptance sparks reactions

Tharoor’s decision to attend the dinner drew a veiled rebuke from Khera. Without naming him, Khera remarked, “Ask Mr. Tharoor. All of us who are in the party, if our leaders don't get invited and we get invited, we need to question our own conscience and listen to our conscience. Politics has been played in inviting or not inviting people, which in itself is questionable and those who accept such an invite is also questionable.”

Earlier in the day, Tharoor noted that parliamentary committee chairpersons were once routinely invited to such events, a practice he said had ceased in recent years. “It has been resumed ...I have been invited, yes. I will definitely go,” he said. On Rahul Gandhi and Kharge being excluded, Tharoor responded, “I don't know on what basis invitations were sent. I think the custom that usually used to be followed was for a wide representation.”

Row over foreign dignitary meetings

The controversy follows Rahul Gandhi’s allegation on Thursday that the government discourages visiting foreign leaders from meeting the Opposition. “Normally the tradition is that those who come from abroad have a meeting with the LoP… but what happens these days is that when foreign dignitaries come and when I go abroad, the government suggests to them to not meet the LoP,” he said.

His remarks came hours before President Putin began his two-day visit, reinforcing opposition claims that institutional conventions were being eroded under the current government.

A growing rift within the Congress

Tharoor’s attendance comes at a time when his relationship with the Congress leadership has grown increasingly fragile. The MP has faced internal criticism over recent comments praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including his response to the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military action. His article, ‘Indian Politics Are a Family Business’, which challenged the structure of family-led political parties, also sparked discontent.

The tension dates back to mid-2022, when Tharoor joined a group of Congress leaders demanding internal reforms after successive electoral setbacks. While he has denied any plans to shift allegiance – stating, “It… is not a sign of my leaping to join his party…” – speculation of a possible defection continues to hover.

(With inputs from PTI)