Baijayant 'Jay' Panda’s playful selfie with Shashi Tharoor — paired with a cryptic caption about “traveling in the same direction” — has ignited a fresh round of political chatter, further fueling speculation about Tharoor’s strained ties with the Congress. As BJP’s national vice president, Panda’s words carried an undertone that many saw as a nod to the growing distance between Tharoor and his party. Tharoor, ever quick to defuse the buzz, clarified that he was a “fellow traveller only to Bhubaneswar,” emphasizing his attendance at the Kalinga Literary Festival and his immediate return, downplaying any deeper meaning behind the photo.
The timing of this episode is striking. Tharoor’s recent pattern of praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic approach — alongside candid moments with BJP leaders — has increasingly left the Congress uncomfortable. Just last month, Tharoor drew attention with a selfie alongside Union Minister Piyush Goyal, complimenting the government’s efforts to revive the stalled free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK. He also spoke positively about the outcomes of Modi’s meeting with former US President Donald Trump, highlighting progress on key issues that previously seemed deadlocked, positioning India as a more significant player on the global stage.
Adding to the intrigue, Tharoor acknowledged he misjudged India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine war, admitting he was left with "egg on his face" for initially opposing the government's neutral stance. He credited Modi’s balanced diplomacy, pointing out how India’s approach enabled the Prime Minister to engage warmly with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin within weeks of each other — a rare diplomatic feat that few global leaders could achieve without backlash.
These comments were seized upon by the BJP to jab at the Congress, with leaders suggesting Rahul Gandhi would be left "red-faced" by Tharoor’s statements. The BJP wasted no time amplifying Tharoor’s words, painting them as proof of a growing ideological disconnect between him and his party. Meanwhile, Congress leaders, especially those from the old guard, reportedly expressed discomfort over Tharoor’s increasingly conciliatory tone toward the ruling party.
Tharoor’s relationship with his party appears increasingly uneasy. His meeting with Rahul Gandhi in Delhi last month, held behind closed doors, further fueled rumors that the Congress leadership was trying to placate the four-time Thiruvananthapuram MP. Reports have swirled that Tharoor felt sidelined within the party, particularly after his unsuccessful run for Congress President, where he positioned himself as a reformist voice. Though he lost to Mallikarjun Kharge — widely seen as the Gandhi family’s preferred candidate — Tharoor’s campaign earned him considerable grassroots support and reshaped his image as an independent-minded leader.
Tharoor, ever the diplomat, has publicly denied any plans to switch sides, even hinting that while he remains committed to the Congress, he has "other options" — a remark that, unsurprisingly, fueled further speculation. His recent public engagements have only added to the curiosity. Tharoor has been increasingly visible at non-Congress platforms, engaging with business leaders, intellectuals, and even political rivals in a manner that suggests he’s keeping his options open.
For now, Tharoor continues walking a tightrope — defending his party affiliation while his words and actions seem to repeatedly resonate across party lines, leaving both his critics and supporters guessing his next move. Whether he’s strategically carving out a more centrist, statesman-like persona within the Congress or genuinely weighing an ideological shift remains unclear. What’s certain, though, is that Shashi Tharoor’s moves — and the reactions they spark — ensure his political journey remains anything but predictable.
