Absolutely not getting into that subject: Tharoor on Congress' objections on all-party delegations
New Delhi (PTI): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday declined to join issue with some opposition parties, including his own, over the government's choice of MPs from their ranks for all-party delegations to foreign capitals following Operation Sindoor.
"I am absolutely not getting into that subject," he told reporters as the chairman of Parliament's Standing Committee on External Affairs arrived for its meeting, which is being briefed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on the India-Pakistan military conflict after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Tharoor has been chosen by the BJP-led government to head one of the seven all-party delegations. His group will visit the US and four other countries.
The names of Tharoor and two other Congress MPs, who are members of other all-party delegations, had not figured among the four suggested by the main opposition party to the government.
The Congress and the Trinamool Congress, which has asked its sole representative Yusuf Pathan to opt out of the delegation, have criticised the government for not seeking their leaderships' consent for its choice of their leaders for the diplomatic outreach.
Accepting the nomination to lead the delegation to the US and four other countries, Tharoor had said in a post on X, "I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India to lead an all-party delegation to five key capitals, to present our nation's point of view on recent events."
"When national interest is involved, and my services are required, I will not be found wanting. Jai Hind!" he had added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
True faith teaches us to respect others' beliefs: TVK chief Vijay
Chennai (PTI): Actor-turned-politician and TVK chief Vijay on Monday said true faith teaches us to respect others' beliefs.
Speaking at 'Samathuva Christmas Party' organised by his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), here, he said, "... True faith is what teaches us to respect others' beliefs for the sake of harmony. Yes. Such a faith alone is enough; it will overcome any kind of problem."
He also said love and compassion are the basis for everything in Tamil Nadu, where "everyone happily celebrates all festivals" -- be it Pongal, Diwali, Ramzan or Christmas.
"Even if the lifestyle and method of worship are different, we are all brothers," he added.
ALSO READ: ‘Pay worker before sweat dries’: Madras HC invokes prophet’s teaching to settle lawyer’s dues
Drawing a parallel between his own journey and the Biblical story of Joseph -- who was betrayed by his brothers only to overcome everything and become a king -- the TVK founder said he too is being betrayed by his "brothers", but would overcome his challenges and rule the hearts of people.
"I don’t think there is a need for me to say who that specific story is about," the actor, whose given name is Joseph, said without naming anyone.
Hosting Christian clergy and supporters at a venue near here, Vijay stressed that his party will protect Tamil Nadu's "motherly ethos of unity".
"We and TVK will be 100 per cent firm in protecting social and religious harmony," the TVK chief promised.
