Tharoor Backs Digvijaya's Congress Reform Call Amid RSS Praise Row: We Need Discipline

New Delhi (India) December 28: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has supported the call for changes made by his senior colleague Digvijaya Singh, by saying that there is a need to strengthen the organisation.

This statement came amidst a big controversy of Digvijaya Singh's apparent praises for the BJP and its ideological parent, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Shashi Tharoor Echoes Call for Stronger Congress Organization

In response to questions about Singh's praising the RSS and BJPs well ordered structure, Tharoor said “I too want our organisation to be stronger. There should be discipline within the Congress. Digvijaya Singh can speak for himself.”

Mixed Reactions from Congress Leaders

Within the Congress party, people have reacted differently to Singh's statements. Sachin Pilot, for instance, took the view that the party is still united and that everyone has the freedom to give their opinion, whereas some other leaders have vehemently condemned any kind of admiration for the RSS.

A well known Congress leader Pawan Khera, was totally against the concept of learning from the RSS.

“There's nothing to learn from the RSS. What can an organisation known for Godse teach an organisation founded by Gandhi?” Khera said.

Singh's Push for Decentralized Power and Reforms

The dispute broke out after Singh complimented RSS and BJP in an online post yesterday. In a publicly available post, Singh had last week emphasized the necessity of reforms and that power should be taken away from the centre and given to the local units in the Congress. He had also tagged Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition. 

The Congress, getting embarrassed by the public reaction of a senior leader, also realized the veteran leaders increasing discontent which was implied in their somewhat taciturn way.

Rajya Sabha MP sharing a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi sitting on the floor near BJP veteran LK Advani, said that a grassroots worker can grow within the BJP, RSS ecosystem to top posts like chief minister and prime minister.

Damage Control and Signs of Deeper Discontent

While Singh later clarified that he remained a stiff opponent of the RSS, BJP, the harm was already done. After a series of electoral defeats, the party looked struggling and divided, as a large number of leaders sided with Singh. 

Digvijaya Singh had also on his part, prior to this, reached out via social media and recommended the need for reforms within Congress, notably in his post on December 19. In that post, he commended Rahul Gandhi and conveyed his faith in him as the one to effect changes necessary to the party.