Shashi Tharoor hears what PM Modi does not say: Congress leader Khera takes swipe

A political row has erupted within the Congress after leader Pawan Kheda took a sharp dig at party colleague Shashi Tharoor over his remarks seen as praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The controversy began after Tharoor defended PM Modi's handling of concerns related to Indian civilian sailors and suggested that the Prime Minister had conveyed India's position during meetings with US President Donald Trump. Tharoor stated that civilian sailors on commercial ships should not be treated as targets in conflict situations and said this message was conveyed by the Plus, there is for us the additional concern that we have sailors in every country's ships. It doesn't matter if it's not an Indian flag vessel. This wasn't an Indian flag vessel. But there are Indian sailors pretty much in most of the ships. Similarly, there's a lot of Filipino sailors, some Chinese sailors, etc. You've got to understand that one thing to attack a military destroyer or frigate, it's quite another to attack a commercial ship. You find some other way, if they're violating your blockade or your sanctions, Responding to the remarks, Kheda said he had not seen Tharoor's full statement but pointed out that the official India-US joint statement made no reference to the deaths of three Indian sailors in the Gulf of Oman or related issues. India raising concerns over the deaths of three Indian sailors? No, I haven't seen it. Have you seen it? I am sure Dr. Tharoor has also not seen it. Now, is there a mention of cross-border terrorism by Pakistan? I haven't heard it. I haven't seen it. I am sure Dr. Tharoor has not seen it. Is there a mention refuting all the claims made by Donald Trump 120 times of a mediation between India and Pakistan by America. We haven't seen any such mention. I'm sure Dr. Tharoor has not seen it. Is there a mention of Iris Dena? I haven't seen it. So where is the force? What is the forceful claim made by, assertion made by Narendra Modi with Donald Trump? No, no, we are asking questions to Mr. Modi. I mean, that's more important. Tharoor later responded on social media, saying his comments were being misinterpreted and stressing that his concern was the safety of Indian citizens, adding that such issues should not become political controversies. Kheda further escalated his criticism in a press interaction and online post, saying Tharoor's admiration for the Prime Minister appeared to have gone beyond reality and suggesting that he was attributing statements to PM Modi that were not made. the exchange has intensified internal differences within the Congress Party.