File Photo of Congress leader and spokesperson Mr Shashi Tharoor
The Congress today distanced itself from party spokesperson and MP Shashi Tharoor's praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"The views expressed by Shashi Tharoor about Mr Modi and the government are his personal views. As a party, it is too early for us to express these views. It is too early to comment on the functioning of the government," party spokesperson Shobha Oza told reporters.
Her comments came in response to a barrage of questions a day after Mr Tharoor's praise appeared in a US news website in which he had among other things remarked that Mr Modi was looking to turn himself from a "hate figure into an avatar of modernity and progress".
Ms Oza steered clear of questions on whether any action would be taken against Mr Tharoor.
On his part, Mr Tharoor told NDTV that he cannot be called a 'fan' of Mr Modi.
"I have been intrigued by the fact that the paraphrases of my piece that I have seen in the Indian media looks like people don't actually read every word and every nuance," he said when asked if he could be called a 'Modi fan' now after his editorial piece on the website.
Mr Tharoor said his piece very clearly explains that for 12 years the Congress had good reasons to criticise Mr Modi very severely for the 2002 riots, but the way he has conducted himself after the election and spoken from the moment of his victory, he "has been amazingly gracious and accommodative" of even those who had not voted for him.
Mr Tharoor was all praise for the language and tone used by Mr Modi and so he thought it would be churlish not to acknowledge it.
"We should acknowledge that this may the evolution of Modi 2.0, but if Modi 1.0 re-emerges, then we will robustly oppose him," he said.
Asked if the Congress would go with his views, Mr Tharoor said he has not been fired as party spokesperson. He said the media creates controversies for TRP ratings "but there is actually a coherence and synergy at work" when various spokespersons speak.
When asked whether her views being expressed today are personal or those of the party, Ms Oza said "whatever views I have expressed are my party's views."
Acknowledging that the Congress will work as a constructive opposition, and a party that wants the government to function well, she asked "I would like to know what has changed. I have given you an example. Nothing has changed."
She was referring to her attack on the Prime Minister over his pre-election pitch on women security and the recurring incidents of persecution of women including rapes and gang rapes in various parts of the country.
When told that by expressing these views, she could be accused of being "churlish", a term Mr Tharoor had used, Ms Oza was dismissive saying "that is his view."
"It will be too hasty to comment now (on the functioning of the government).We are waiting for Narendra Modi to put in practice whatever he has said," Ms Oza said.
Mr Tharoor had said on Wednesday from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) podium that the opposition would be "churlish" in ignoring the voices of inclusive outreach of the new Prime Minister.