BJP
In a rare public display of intra-party discord, the Congress has taken aim at its own MP Shashi Tharoor, accusing him of echoing BJP talking points after he penned a sharp critique of the 1975–77 Emergency. The flashpoint, described by Congress MP Manickam Tagore in a memorable bird metaphor—“Is the bird becoming a parrot?”—suggests growing concerns within the grand old party over ideological divergence and strategic messaging .
🕊️ 1. Tharoor’s Bold Stand on the Emergency
Tharoor, a member of the Congress Working Committee, published a pointed article in Project Syndicate and the Malayalam daily Deepika, calling the Emergency a “dark chapter” that revealed the dangers of concentrating power. He highlighted:
- Forced vasectomies in rural areas led by Sanjay Gandhi,
- A ruthless crackdown on urban populations,
- Suppression of press freedom and political liberty.
Tharoor urged readers to learn from history to preserve democracy today .
🦜 2. Congress’s ‘Parrot’ Dig
Manickam Tagore, the party whip in the Lok Sabha, responded sharply on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“When a colleague starts repeating BJP lines word for word, you begin to wonder — is the bird becoming a parrot? Mimicry is cute in birds, not in politics.”
The remark, though not directly naming Tharoor, left little doubt about its target—and underscored internal tensions regarding Tharoor’s alignment with what some see as BJP-aligned messaging.
3. BJP Backs Tharoor
The BJP, quick to pounce, praised Tharoor’s critique as a sign of Congress’s internal guilt. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi argued that Congress’s harsh response shows it still clings to the same mindset that enabled the Emergency .
4. Kerala Pressure Points
The friction has a second dimension: Tharoor is a prominent Kerala MP and floated the idea of contesting the Chief Minister’s post. His allies circulated a private survey labeling him the most popular candidate, drawing criticism from Congress leaders in Kerala. Senior figures urged Tharoor to declare his party loyalties concretely, warning that divisive messaging could damage the party’s unity. CPI leader Binoy Viswam even speculated that Tharoor might be “finalising his shift to BJP” .
5. Broader Implications for Congress
This episode highlights latent fissures in Congress over:
- How to confront the BJP’s retrospective branding of the Emergency,
- Balancing internal dissent with public messaging,
- Managing ambitions of high-profile leaders.
What started as a moral critique has morphed into a test of ideological coherence and party discipline.
🔎 Deeper Insight: Democracy, Loyalty, and Birds
Tharoor’s critique invoked important democratic values:
- Historical vigilance: He emphasized that unchecked power can creep back if not actively resisted.
- Institutional memory: The Emergency remains a powerful reminder of democratic fragility .
But by echoing critiques commonly used by the BJP—such as focusing on the Emergency’s excesses—Tharoor is seen by some insiders as validating the opposition’s narrative. That’s what triggered Tagore’s “parrot” metaphor, accusing him of losing distinct party voice.
✔️ What’s Next?
- Congress leadership: Senior leaders may step in to either rein in the rhetoric or defuse criticism.
- Tharoor’s next move: Will he double down or dial back his stance?
- Kerala positioning: His political future in the state—and the party’s response—will be closely watched.
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