When Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was asked to come to the official dinner for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, was not, there was a new political uproar on Thursday. Right away, Congress criticised the government, calling it a “serious breach of protocol” and asking why the Leaders of the Opposition in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were left out of a big state event.
Tharoor at the Party, No LoPs
Shashi Tharoor, a top Congress leader with a history of working as a diplomat at the UN, was excited to see his name on the list of people who would be attending the state dinner. Tharoor is an important MP, but he doesn’t hold any constitutional or parliamentary post that gives him more authority than the Leader of the Opposition. This difference caused a lot of surprise, and a political argument started within hours of the list going public.
Congress officially appointed Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge as the Opposition in Parliament, so when Congress was ignored, it asked why its two top leaders were ignored. The party says that not inviting both LoPs is not only strange but also goes against democratic rules that see the LoP as a high constitutional office.
Congress: “This Is About Rules, Not People”
Congress made it clear that their worry had nothing to do with Shashi Tharoor personally, putting to rest rumours about what was going on in the political party. Senior Congress leaders said the problem isn’t about individual identities; it’s about respecting parliamentary structures. They said that the government’s choice of who to invite undermines democracy norms and sends a message that the Opposition’s constitutional role is being weakened.
The party also pointed out that Opposition Leaders have historically been asked to important state and diplomatic events, such as dinners for heads of state from other countries. Congress said that straying from this practice makes the government’s promise of bipartisan participation at national events look bad.
Government Strategy or Internal Optics?
The development has led to new discussions about what really happens in Congress. Tharoor has become more visible, especially in events where Rahul Gandhi is not present. This has led to indirect similarities in politics. Even though people in the party said there was no problem, the situation still made people wonder if there was one.
At the same time, people who study politics think that the government may be trying to set the agenda for diplomatic outreach on its own terms, limiting involvement to leaders it thinks are appropriate for the event.
Is All Well in the Party ?
Up to now, the government hasn’t said anything publicly about why the LoPs were left out. Officials say that state dinner guest lists are based on diplomatic discretion and not strict rules.
Right now, the questions that haven’t been solved yet are still causing debate: Was it a mistake in diplomacy, a political signal, or an issue that could have been avoided?
