What Did Shashi Tharoor's Cryptic Post About a ‘Flying Bird’ Mean?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shashi Tharoor's cryptic tweet has sparked a notable political exchange.
- Manickam Tagore's retort underscores tensions within Congress.
- The discourse highlights internal party divisions regarding loyalty and direction.
- Tharoor's comments on PM Modi have raised questions about his alignment with the party.
- The dialogue reflects broader issues of freedom and democracy in contemporary politics.
New Delhi, June 26 (NationPress) Following a cryptic tweet from Shashi Tharoor, which was a response to a jab from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, a fellow party member entered the fray with a sharp remark aimed at the Thiruvananthapuram MP.
Manickam Tagore, a Congress MP and AICC in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, made a veiled reference to Tharoor with a ‘Birds of Prey’ comment, emphasizing that freedom isn't granted without struggle in a nation where ‘democracy is under threat’.
Without explicitly naming Tharoor, Tagore posted on X, stating, “Don’t ask permission to fly. Birds don’t need clearance to rise… But in today’s world, even a free bird must be cautious—hawks, vultures, and ‘eagles’ are always on the hunt. Freedom isn’t free, especially when predators don the feathers of patriotism.”
This latest exchange, though subtle, is likely to exacerbate the rifts between Tharoor and the Congress party, especially as Tharoor has recently been vocal about his disagreements with party operations.
On the previous Wednesday, Tharoor had responded to Kharge’s pointed remarks aimed at him through a tweet about a 'flying bird'.
He shared, “Don’t seek permission to fly. The wings are yours. And, the sky belongs to no one.”
This tweet followed Kharge's comments where he indicated that the Congress party prioritizes the nation over individuals who believe “Modi comes first, the country later”—a direct jab at Tharoor for allegedly aligning with the BJP.
Tharoor, once a prominent figure in India’s diplomatic outreach post-Operation Sindoor, had previously praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
He further expressed his views in an opinion piece, describing PM Modi’s energy and international presence as a “prime asset” for India.
This has stirred tensions within the Congress party, with several leaders questioning Tharoor's loyalty to the party's stance on foreign policy and suggesting a tilt towards the BJP for reasons known only to him.