Overview

• Senior Kerala Congress figures Rajmohan Unnithan and K Muraleedharan declared Tharoor unwelcome at state events and urged his ban from party meetings unless he alters his security stance
• On July 22 in New Delhi, Tharoor challenged their authority by asking who holds the power to bar him and what official party positions they occupy
• The confrontation follows months of friction sparked by Tharoor’s praise of Prime Minister Modi and his leadership role in the Operation Sindoor security outreach
• Tharoor defended his nation-first philosophy, insisting that parties serve the country and that bipartisan cooperation on security matters may be necessary
• Both sides have deferred any disciplinary decision to the Congress high command, emphasizing that national leadership alone can determine his status