'Crossed lakshman rekha': Shashi Tharoor given 'clear message' by leadership over India-Pakistan remarks, say Congress sources

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has "crossed the lakshman rekha" with his repeated remarks on the India-Pakistan conflict, party sources told news agency PTI on Wednesday. The remarks followed a high-level meeting at the Congress headquarters, attended by Tharoor, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, KC Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Sachin Pilot and other senior leaders."We are a democratic party and people keep expressing their opinion, but this time, Tharoor has crossed the lakshman rekha," a party source said after the meeting.Sources said the leadership conveyed a “clear message” during the discussion - that this is a time to present a united front and reflect the party's official position, not personal viewpoints.Also read: 'New normal' for Congress? Shashi Tharoor's praise for PM Modi's policiesWithout naming anyone directly, the message appeared to have been aimed at Tharoor, who has made several public comments on the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions that differ from the party's approach. The Congress has sharply questioned the Modi government, particularly over US president Donald Trump’s repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.When asked about Tharoor’s remarks, Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh said at a press briefing, “That is his opinion. When Mr. Tharoor speaks, it does not reflect the views of the party.”Tharoor’s recent statements have drawn attention for appearing more conciliatory or divergent from the party’s critical stance on the government’s handling of India-Pakistan relations post-Operation Sindoor.While the Congress has lauded the armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor, it has raised questions over the Modi government's abrupt decision to agree to a ceasefire, a move first announced by Trump. In contrast, Shashi Tharoor came out in strong defence of the government, dismissing Trump as “a politician wanting to take credit for something” and backing India's decision to agree to the truce.