New Delhi, Dec 6: Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor gushed over the Rashtrapati Bhavan banquet for Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling the mood “warm and engaging” while relishing chats with Russian delegates.
In a Friday social media post after President Droupadi Murmu’s hosted gala—marking 25 years of India-Russia strategic ties—Tharoor noted enjoyable table talks, ignoring party backlash over Leader of Opposition snubs for Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera blasted the Modi government for “daily protocol breaches” and questioned Tharoor’s attendance: “If leaders are sidelined but we get invites, check your conscience—we’d have listened to ours.” Tharoor shrugged off the row, recalling faded traditions of inviting external affairs committee chairs, as Rahul Gandhi earlier accused the regime of blocking foreign meets due to “insecurity.”
