Shashi Tharoor Highlights Ideological Divide in Congress Party

NEW DELHI: Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament representing the Indian National Congress, has responded to a widely shared online thread that outlines differing ideological perspectives within his party. The analysis juxtaposes Tharoor's technocratic urban approach with Rahul Gandhi's rural-focused strategy, suggesting a widening ideological divide between the two leaders.

The thread, originally posted by the Twitter account Civitas Sameer, critiques the Congress Party's recent shift towards rural politics, characterising it as a 'devastating' move intended to counter the dominance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It states that Rahul Gandhi's approach, which aims to reposition Congress as a mass party addressing rural grievances, lacks credibility due to his elite background.

Tharoor expressed appreciation for the analysis, stating, "Thank you for this thoughtful analysis. There has always been more than one tendency in the party; your framing is fair, and reflective of a certain perception of the current reality." He noted that the Congress Party is struggling to establish itself as either a credible urban reformist entity or a serious force in rural politics.

The analysis points out that Tharoor represents a legacy of urban, technocratic leadership within the Congress, recalling figures such as former Prime Ministers P. V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh. These leaders are described as having prioritised policy and administrative competence, contrasting sharply with Gandhi's recent rural strategy.

Critics of the Congress Party argue that it has consistently sidelined these urban technocrats, leading to a disconnect between the party and its more competent figures. The thread highlights that while leaders like Tharoor have gained recognition, the party itself has not capitalised on their strengths, resulting in diminished electoral performance.

The commentary goes further to critique Gandhi’s approach, asserting that rural politics in India is fundamentally organisational and cultural, requiring a deep-rooted infrastructure that the Congress Party currently lacks. The thread underscores that the BJP's success in rural areas is due to its disciplined cadre and cultural alignment through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

It also addresses the perception that Tharoor has shifted towards the right politically, clarifying that this is not the case. The analysis mentions Tharoor's pride in his Hindu identity, referencing his book 'Why I Am A Hindu' as evidence of his long-standing beliefs rather than a recent ideological shift.

Overall, the post concludes that the Congress Party today is neither a credible urban reformist party nor an effective rural mass party, leading to a loss of its aspirational identity. The commentary suggests that the party's current positioning is primarily oppositional, which could prove detrimental for its future.

As the Congress Party grapples with these ideological divisions, the contrasting visions of leaders like Shashi Tharoor and Rahul Gandhi will continue to shape the narrative of the party in the lead-up to upcoming elections. The impact of these internal debates on the party's overall strategy remains to be seen.