Party spokesperson Pawan Khera said Tharoor’s comments did not reflect the party’s position. “Shashi Tharoor always stands by his personal opinions. The Congress completely distances itself from his statement,” Khera told reporters, adding that Tharoor’s post was made in his individual capacity despite his role as a Working Committee member.

The controversy began after Tharoor shared a photo with Advani on X on November 8, extending birthday greetings to the 98-year-old leader. “His unwavering commitment to public service, his humility and dignity, and his role in shaping modern India are indelible. A true statesman whose life of service has been exemplary,” Tharoor wrote.

The post drew sharp criticism from several quarters, including Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Hegde, who said Advani’s legacy could not be separated from the “seeds of hatred” sown during the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Responding to Hegde, Tharoor argued that a leader’s career should not be judged by a single episode. “Nehru’s career cannot be judged by the China debacle, nor Indira Gandhi’s solely by the Emergency. The same courtesy should extend to Advani,” he wrote.

This is not the first time Tharoor’s views have diverged from the party line. In an international article earlier this year, he criticised dynastic politics in India, calling for a merit-based political system backed by internal reforms and fixed terms.

Advani, a founding figure of the BJP and architect of the 1990 Rath Yatra, was conferred the Bharat Ratna in March 2024 for his decades-long contribution to Indian politics.