Tharoor’s Praise for PM is Welcome

When opposition for the sake of opposition has become the norm in the Parliamentary democracy in India due to the dearth of seasoned statesmen and people of eminence in the public life. Dr. Shashi Tharoor’s praise for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a positive sign. His praise for the Prime Minister is significant for many reasons. It has come at a time when his party the Indian National Congress and its leaders lose no opportunity to attack the ruling dispensation led by Narendra Modi. He has crossed the defined party line to break ranks with the Congress. It is pertinent to mention that what is being discussed is in the context of the remarks made by the four-term Congress MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Dr. Shashi Tharoor while praising the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the outcomes of his visit to the United States(US).It is to be underlined that these remarks praising the Prime Minister had come within hours taking swipe by the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi had tried to corner the Prime Minister for dismissing the question about Adani during a press interaction. Dr. Shashi Tharoor had substantiated and justified his remarks that praise Modi by saying that the US President’s admiration for the Indian Prime Minister is astonishing. Actually, during media interaction President Trump had called Prime Minister Modi as a better negotiator than himself. Dr. Tharoor while substantiating his praise for the Prime Minister has said, “Calling Mr. Modi, a better negotiator than himself, is remarkable because Mr. Trump takes pride in his deal making abilities. His own Secretary recently called him the greatest negotiator in the world, yet here he is saying Modi is better than him. That’s high praise from a man not known for giving compliments easily. This is good news.” What Dr. Tharoor has said is not confined to the good words of President Trump for Prime Minister Modi. He has evaluated the outcomes of his visit in terms of deals he has struck with the US during his recent visit. Putting things in perspective as far as Prime Minister Modi’s US visit is concerned, Dr. Tharoor has analysed that on trade and tariffs, both sides have agreed to serious negotiations that will conclude by October or November. This is a positive outcome, as it prevents hasty decisions that could impact our exports. It is proper to mention that the Congress has launched a social media campaign to criticise the F-35 deal that has been materialised with the US but again Dr. Shashi Tharoor has crossed the party line to praise the Prime Minister and called it very valuable for India. While supporting this deal he has said categorically that with the Rafale already in our arsenal and now the F-35s,the Indian Air Force(IAF) should be in excellent shape. Further, saying that India has secured everything it could have expected this time. One thing is clear that this time voices of reason are emanating from within the Congress itself and this is good for democracy. Opposition is meant for the mere criticism of the incumbent government but the decisions that uphold that national interest and the national security must be guided by the national consensus across the party lines. This remark was made by Dr. Shashi Tharoor makes one remember the praise showered by the former Prime Minister of India and then leader of opposition in the Parliament ,late Atal Bihari Vajpayee when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi liberated Bengali dominated East Pakistan in 1971from the genocidal attrition of Pakistan and called her an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess “Durga”. When it comes to upholding the national interest then party lines must assume the backseat as the nation is supreme. That is the spirit of the Indian nation.