‘Rahul Gandhi gaining popularity among youth’:Shashi Tharoor responds to PM Modi’s ‘failed product’ jibe, says BJP should take note

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘failed product’ remark targeting Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress leader had gained popularity among young voters in recent months and that the BJP should take note of it. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit, Tharoor said, “Over the past few months, Rahul Gandhi has gained popularity among young voters. The BJP should take serious note of this.” A day earlier, PM Modi had criticised the Congress at the same event without naming Rahul Gandhi, saying he did not know how long the party would continue to put the country at stake to launch its “failed product”. Modi had also said that while the world was looking for a new order, some people were dreaming of disorder in India and travelling abroad to defame the country.Tharoor says differing views do not amount to opposing the party Tharoor also objected to Modi’s remarks that several senior Congress leaders held views different from those of the Gandhi family. “I represent a section of voters, campaign for my party as a leader and also chair the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs,” Tharoor said, adding that having a different opinion did not make someone a rebel within the party. Six instances when Tharoor defended Rahul Gandhi September 5, 2016: Backed Rahul over remarks on the RSS Tharoor supported Rahul Gandhi’s remarks linking the RSS to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. He said historical evidence supported the claim that Nathuram Godse was associated with the organisation, while also noting that Godse and his associates had left the RSS by the time of the assassination. December 4, 2017: Responded to BJP’s dynastic politics allegations Responding to the BJP’s allegations of dynastic politics against Rahul Gandhi, Tharoor said the party should examine its own internal structure before criticising others. March 17, 2023: Said Rahul did not need to apologise for London remarks The BJP had demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Indian democracy during his visit to the United Kingdom. Tharoor said Gandhi had made no statement that warranted an apology and had not asked foreign countries to intervene in India’s democratic affairs. March 20, 2023: Accused government of denying Rahul an opportunity to speak in Parliament Tharoor alleged that the government did not want to give Rahul Gandhi another opportunity to speak in Parliament because his remarks raised uncomfortable questions about the relationship between the government and industrialists. He also alleged that the controversy surrounding Gandhi was being used to avoid discussions on other issues in Parliament. June 7, 2024: Called Rahul the ‘Man of the Match’ in Lok Sabha elections Following the Congress’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Tharoor described Rahul Gandhi as the ‘Man of the Match’. He also said Gandhi’s appointment as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha was the right decision. January 30, 2026: Described Rahul as an honest leader Tharoor described Rahul Gandhi as an honest leader who consistently speaks out against communalism, hatred and divisive politics. He said he had never agreed with unfair remarks directed at Gandhi. Tharoor says differing views do not amount to opposing the party Tharoor also objected to Modi’s remarks that several senior Congress leaders held views different from those of the Gandhi family. “I represent a section of voters, campaign for my party as a leader and also chair the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs,” Tharoor said, adding that having a different opinion did not make someone a rebel within the party. 6 instances when Tharoor defended Rahul Gandhi September 5, 2016: Backed Rahul over remarks on the RSS Tharoor supported Rahul Gandhi’s remarks linking the RSS to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. He said historical evidence supported the claim that Nathuram Godse was associated with the organisation, while also noting that Godse and his associates had left the RSS by the time of the assassination. December 4, 2017: Responded to BJP’s dynastic politics allegations Responding to the BJP’s allegations of dynastic politics against Rahul Gandhi, Tharoor said the party should examine its own internal structure before criticising others. March 17, 2023: Said Rahul did not need to apologise for London remarks The BJP had demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Indian democracy during his visit to the United Kingdom. Tharoor said Gandhi had made no statement that warranted an apology and had not asked foreign countries to intervene in India’s democratic affairs. March 20, 2023: Accused government of denying Rahul an opportunity to speak in Parliament Tharoor alleged that the government did not want to give Rahul Gandhi another opportunity to speak in Parliament because his remarks raised uncomfortable questions about the relationship between the government and industrialists. He also alleged that the controversy surrounding Gandhi was being used to avoid discussions on other issues in Parliament. June 7, 2024: Called Rahul the ‘Man of the Match’ in Lok Sabha elections Following the Congress’s performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Tharoor described Rahul Gandhi as the ‘Man of the Match’. He also said Gandhi’s appointment as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha was the right decision. January 30, 2026: Described Rahul as an honest leader Tharoor described Rahul Gandhi as an honest leader who consistently speaks out against communalism, hatred and divisive politics. He said he had never agreed with unfair remarks directed at Gandhi.