Sat Mar 22 07:38:04 UTC 2025: ## Tharoor Clarifies Selfie with BJP MP Amidst Ongoing Party Tensions
**NEW DELHI** – Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has again found himself clarifying his actions after a selfie with BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda sparked fresh speculation about a rift within the Congress party. The photo, shared by Mr. Panda, showed the two smiling together on a flight, prompting Mr. Panda to jokingly suggest they were “finally travelling in the same direction.”
Mr. Tharoor swiftly responded, emphasizing that the encounter was purely coincidental. He stated he was merely a fellow passenger en route to Bhubaneswar for the Kalinga Literary Festival and would be returning the next morning. This clarification follows a series of recent incidents that have caused considerable tension within the Congress party.
Earlier controversies include Mr. Tharoor’s praise for the Kerala LDF government’s economic policies, which drew criticism from within his own party. While initially defending his remarks as highlighting the state’s progress, he later retracted his statements following reports of significant MSME closures. Further fueling speculation was Mr. Tharoor’s comment on a podcast about having “other options” if his services were not needed in the Congress, though he later clarified this referred to non-political pursuits. A selfie with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a key political opponent of the Congress, only exacerbated the situation.
Despite the ongoing tensions, the Congress high command has attempted to project a united front, sharing images and videos of Mr. Tharoor with other party leaders to quell rumors of a split. However, Mr. Tharoor’s recent actions continue to highlight the delicate internal dynamics within the party.
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