Source The Hindu
Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday asserted that he has never deviated from his party’s official position in Parliament, amid renewed political debate over his recent remarks and public interventions.
Speaking to reporters, Tharoor said that while he has always encouraged healthy discussion and intellectual openness, his conduct inside Parliament has consistently remained within the framework of the Congress party’s stated stand. “At no stage have I violated my party’s position in Parliament,” he said, stressing that discipline and collective responsibility are essential in a parliamentary democracy.
The Congress leader noted that differences of opinion are natural in a large and diverse political party, but such differences should not be misconstrued as defiance. He added that constructive debate strengthens democratic institutions and helps parties refine their policies.
Tharoor’s statement comes at a time when his comments on various national and international issues have sparked speculation about differences between him and the party leadership. However, he maintained that his views expressed outside Parliament are personal opinions shared in good faith and do not undermine the party’s official stance on legislative matters.
Senior Congress sources indicated that the party values Tharoor’s experience and contributions, particularly on foreign policy and global affairs, and reiterated that internal discussions are part of the party’s democratic culture.
Tharoor, a former Union minister and diplomat, has often been known for his independent thinking and articulate interventions. He concluded by saying that his commitment to the Congress party and its core values remains unchanged, and that his parliamentary record speaks for itself.
