Fiery Debate On ‘Operation Sindoor’ Today; Suspense Continues Over Participation Of Shashi Tharoor
After a week of disruptions, Parliament is set to hold a high-stakes debate on Monday on the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent “Operation Sindoor.” Top leaders from both the ruling BJP-led NDA and the opposition are expected to face off, but suspense looms over whether Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will participate, given recent tensions with his party.
The 16-hour discussion, scheduled for both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, will focus on the government’s response to the April 22 attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. The opposition, led by figures like Rahul Gandhi, has criticized the government over alleged intelligence failures and questioned its handling of international relations, particularly after since-denied claims of mediation by former US President Donald Trump.
A key point of interest will be the role of Shashi Tharoor. According to Congress sources, the Thiruvananthapuram MP is unlikely to speak as he has not submitted his name to the party’s parliamentary office. Tharoor recently led a government-formed delegation to the US and other nations on the India-Pakistan conflict, a move that went against the party line and for which he has faced criticism from colleagues. His potential absence from this crucial debate could further highlight these internal frictions.
The government is preparing a strong defence, with Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expected to lead the charge. There are also indications that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may intervene in the debate to present the government’s position.
It remains unclear who will open the debate for the opposition. While Rahul Gandhi is a strong contender, he has previously delegated the role, as seen during the 2023 no-confidence motion when his deputy, Gaurav Gogoi, initiated the discussion.
