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A Political ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’
In the high-stakes reality show of Indian politics, a contestant occasionally performs a stunt so audacious it leaves both allies and adversaries stunned. This week, that ‘Khiladi’ (stuntman) was Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who, with a single article, walked a political tightrope, earning applause from the most unexpected corner: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The saga began with an opinion piece by the ever-articulate Tharoor on the thorny issue of dynastic politics in India. In his characteristic nuanced style, he argued for a shift towards meritocracy and cautioned against the pitfalls of entitlement that can accompany inherited political legacies. For a neutral observer, it was a thoughtful critique of a systemic issue.
But in politics, nothing is neutral.
BJP‘s Praise: A Political Masterstroke?
Cue the BJP, which entered the scene not with criticism, but with thunderous, if mischievous, applause. The party’s IT cell chief, Amit Malviya, and other leaders wasted no time in hailing Tharoor’s “courageous” and “truthful” assessment. For the BJP, this was a godsend. Their primary line of attack against the Congress for a decade has been the charge of ‘parivarvaad’ (dynasticism), aimed squarely at the Gandhi family.
Here was a senior Congress leader, a CWC member no less, seemingly validating their entire political narrative. The BJP’s strategy was brutally effective: use a Congressman’s own words to corner the party. Social media was flooded with posts from BJP handles, all echoing a similar sentiment: “See? Even your own leaders agree with us!” Tharoor’s article was transformed into Exhibit A in the BJP’s case against the Congress.
Congress on the Defensive
As expected, the Congress high command was not amused by this unsolicited endorsement from their arch-rival. The party swiftly moved into damage control mode. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate hit back, accusing the BJP of “maliciously twisting” Tharoor’s words and indulging in “petty politics.”
The counter-narrative was launched: the BJP, itself home to numerous political dynasties (from the Scindias and Singhs to the Goyals and Dhumals), has no moral authority to lecture on the subject. The Congress painted the BJP’s praise as a cynical attempt to sow discord within its ranks and distract from pressing national issues.
The ‘Tharoor Dilemma’
This political firestorm exposes the delicate fault lines within the Congress and the sharp, opportunistic communication strategy of the BJP. For the Congress, it highlights the perennial “Tharoor dilemma.” The Thiruvananthapuram MP is an undeniable asset—an intellectual heavyweight with global appeal. Yet, his candidness often places him at odds with the party’s more guarded approach, as seen during his run for the party presidency against Mallikarjun Kharge.
For the BJP, it’s another masterclass in political messaging. The party has perfected the art of latching onto any sign of internal dissent within the opposition, amplifying it, and framing it to suit their narrative.
So, was this a dangerous stunt for internal party reform or an unforced error? The truth likely lies somewhere in between. What is certain is that Shashi Tharoor’s pen has once again stirred the political pot, forcing his party into a defensive crouch while its biggest rival cheers from the sidelines.
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