Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament: Is Shashi Tharoor not on the Congress debate list?

Parliament’s Monsoon Session is witnessing a high-stakes debate today, with the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s military response under Operation Sindoor taking centre stage.

The ruling NDA and the Opposition have both lined up some of their key leaders to speak in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

In the lower house, Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh led the discussion. On the Opposition’s side, Congress has chosen Lok Sabha Deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi to open the debate. But what’s really caught attention is the absence of senior party leader Shashi Tharoor from the list of speakers.

Tharoor, known for his strong views on foreign affairs and national security, isn’t expected to speak in Parliament today, and the silence around it has raised eyebrows.

So, why is Tharoor not speaking on Operation Sindoor? Is his ‘strained’ ties with Congress a reason? Here’s what we know

What’s on the table in Parliament today?

The Lok Sabha began a special debate today on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack. With both sides agreeing to a marathon 16-hour discussion in each House, all eyes are on the list of speakers expected to weigh in.

On the government’s side, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are expected to present the official position on Operation Sindoor. BJP MPs, including Tejasvi Surya, Anurag Thakur, Baijayant Panda, Kamaljeet Sehrawat, and Sanjay Jaiswal, are also likely to speak.

The Congress, meanwhile, has issued a whip requiring all its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in the House for the next three days. Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi is the first to speak from the Opposition camp. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Deepender Hooda are also expected to join the discussion.

From the wider opposition bloc, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee, Samajwadi Party’s Ramashankar Rajbhar, DMK’s K Kanimozhi, and Supriya Sule from the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP are among those likely to take the floor.

Why is Shashi Tharoor not on the debate list?

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is unlikely to speak during today’s debate on Operation Sindoor, a noticeable absence, given his recent prominence on the issue.

Sources told NDTV that Tharoor had been approached by Rahul Gandhi’s office. But the request was turned down.

Later, Congress sources said that Tharoor hasn’t submitted a formal request to the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) office, which is required for MPs who wish to speak in the House. “Shashi Tharoor hasn’t sent any request so far,” a senior party functionary had told India Today.

When asked about his absence on Monday, Tharoor gave a characteristically cryptic reply: “Maunvrat, maunvrat,” he said as he walked into Parliament, without elaborating.

#WATCH | Delhi | Lok Sabha to discuss Operation Sindoor today, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, “Maunvrat, maunvrat…” pic.twitter.com/YVOwS7jpk5

— ANI (@ANI) July 28, 2025

This comes despite the Thiruvananthapuram MP being chosen by the government to head an all-party delegation abroad, including the US, to explain India’s stance on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

Accepting the invitation, Tharoor had posted on X, calling it an “honour” to represent India on such a crucial issue. “When the national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting. Jai Hind!” he had said.

Interestingly, sources told News18 that even if Tharoor isn’t on the Congress list, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla may still invite him to speak, especially to share his experience leading the delegation abroad.

Is there more to Tharoor’s absence?

Tensions have been increasingly visible between
Tharoor and the Congress since his all-out defence of the BJP government on Operation Sindoor.

According to Frontline, there’s a growing feeling within Congress circles that Tharoor may have crossed a “Lakshman Rekha” by going too far in backing the government on a matter where the party has been more cautious.

Sources told NDTV on Monday that Tharoor has made it clear he won’t contradict himself “for the sake of party messaging”, signalling that he won’t dilute his views just to toe the line.

This isn’t the first time Tharoor’s political alignment has raised eyebrows. Back in February, he hinted at dissatisfaction with his role in the party, saying: “Some in my own party oppose me, but I speak for India and Kerala’s future. If the party wants to utilise my strengths, I’ll be there. If not, I have other options.”

While he later clarified that he remains loyal to Congress and its ideology, those remarks added fuel to rumours of strained ties, especially given his history with the leadership.

Tharoor was part of the G-23 group that publicly questioned the Gandhi family’s leadership after the 2019 poll debacle. In 2022, he also ran against Mallikarjun Kharge for the Congress president post, further distancing himself from the Congress high command.

Even recently, his remarks about Prime Minister Modi’s “dynamism” were seen as veiled admiration. But Tharoor quickly shut down speculation of a BJP switch, saying, “It is not a sign of my leaping to join the Prime Minister’s party, as some people have been implying.”

With input from agencies