'Maybe I wasn't an ideal candidate to speak': Manish Tewari on missing Operation Sindoor debate; has 'no regrets'

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Manish Tewari on Sunday said he has “no regrets” about being left out of the party’s list of speakers for the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament, suggesting that the leadership may not have considered him the “ideal candidate” to represent its stance.

"Congress has nearly 100 MPs, and naturally, many of us wanted to speak. I was among them. However, the party decided who could best articulate our position in Parliament. Maybe it felt I wouldn't be able to present its stand effectively, but that's okay with me. I have no regrets," Tewari told news agency ANI.

When asked whether things were smooth within the party for him and fellow Congress MP Shashi Tharoor — both known for occasionally expressing views that differ from the party line — Tewari responded, “I’ve spent 45 years in the Congress. My entire life has been with this party. We believe that Congress is essential for this country.”

Both Tewari and Tharoor were included in the Centre’s all-party delegations that visited various countries after Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Tewari was part of the delegation led by NCP MP Supriya Sule, while Tharoor led the group that visited South America and the United States.

However, neither was nominated by the Congress to represent the party in those foreign delegations. Nor were they selected to speak during the Sindoor debate, which unfolded during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Also Read | Operation Sindoor debate: How Tharoor took centre stage in Lok Sabha

On July 29, Tewari posted lyrics of a famous song from the Hindi film "Poorab Aur Pachhim": “Hai preet jahaan ki reet sada, Main geet wahaan ke gaata hoon. Bharat ka rehne waala hoon, Bharat ki baat sunata hoon (Where love is the custom, I sing songs of that place. I am a resident of India, and I speak of India)."

Also Read | 'Bharat ki baat sunata hoon': Congress vs Congress? Manish Tewari's cryptic post after being dropped from Operation Sindoor debate

Shortly after, he followed it up with another cryptic comment: “There is a saying in English — ‘If you don't understand my silences, you will never understand my words.’”

The Monsoon Session, held from July 21 to August 21, featured a special debate on Operation Sindoor. The discussion in the Lok Sabha took place over July 28–29, lasting 18 hours and 41 minutes, with 73 members participating. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the concluding reply.

In the Rajya Sabha, the debate continued from July 29–30, spanning 16 hours and 25 minutes, and saw contributions from 65 members. Union home minister Amit Shah delivered the response in the Upper House.

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