‘Organisation Must Be Strengthened’: Shashi Tharoor Supports Digvijaya Singh Amid RSS-BJP Remarks Debate

As the Congress finds itself navigating a fresh political storm triggered by senior leader Digvijaya Singh’s remarks on the organisational structure of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Thiruvananthapuram MP and party leader Shashi Tharoor has weighed in with a measured response. While the comments have drawn criticism from multiple quarters, Tharoor underlined the importance of internal discipline and organisational reform, lending indirect support to Singh’s broader argument.

Emphasising the Congress party’s long legacy, Tharoor pointed out that the organisation has a rich institutional history to draw strength and lessons from. According to him, discipline is a fundamental requirement for any political party that aims to remain relevant and effective.

“The Congress has a history spanning nearly 140 years. There is a great deal we can learn from our own journey,” Tharoor said. “We don’t necessarily need to look elsewhere. Discipline is crucial for the smooth functioning of any organisation.”

Reiterating his belief that organisational strengthening should be a collective objective, Tharoor said the party must focus on reinforcing internal systems. “I also want the organisation to become stronger. Discipline within the party structure is essential. Digvijaya Singh is fully capable of expressing his own views,” he added, carefully maintaining distance from the controversy while reinforcing the core message.

Focus on Internal Reform and Party Discipline

Tharoor further backed the underlying sentiment behind Singh’s remarks — the need for internal reforms within the Congress. He stressed that improving organisational discipline and strengthening grassroots-level structures would help the party confront political challenges more effectively in the future.

When asked whether he had personally spoken to Digvijaya Singh following the backlash, Tharoor responded that communication between senior leaders was natural and ongoing. “We are colleagues and friends, so conversations are bound to happen. But one thing is beyond debate — the organisation must be strengthened,” he said.

How the Controversy Began

The debate erupted on Saturday when Digvijaya Singh shared a photograph from 1995 showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi seated on the ground alongside then BJP president L.K. Advani. In his post, Singh remarked that the Congress could observe how the RSS and the BJP have created pathways for workers at the grassroots to rise to the highest leadership positions.

The comment quickly attracted widespread attention, as the Congress has historically been one of the strongest critics of both the BJP and the RSS. Many within the party viewed the remarks as inconsistent with its ideological stance, while political opponents seized the opportunity to highlight what they described as internal contradictions within the Congress.

Although Singh later clarified that he remains firmly opposed to the ideology of the RSS and the BJP, the controversy has continued to spark debate both within the party and beyond. His remarks have also renewed discussion around his long-standing call for decentralisation, internal democracy, and structural reforms within the Congress.

At a time when the party is reassessing its organisational framework and leadership approach, the episode has exposed differing viewpoints among senior leaders. While opinions remain divided on Singh’s comments, leaders like Shashi Tharoor have reiterated that discipline, reform, and institutional strength will be critical to shaping the Congress party’s future political direction.