"Media picked one sentence and criticised him": Congress on Shashi Tharoor's Israel-Palestine remark
Oct 28, 2023
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], October 28 : Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala reiterated his support for Shashi Tharoor after his speech at Indian United Muslim League (IUML)'s pro-Palestine rally in Kerala's Kozhikode drew flak.
Speaking to the media, Ramesh Chennithala said "Tharoor participated in a Muslim league function with good intention, I congratulate the Muslim league for their solidarity march. The media picked one sentence and criticised Shashi Tharoor. But after that, he has clarified his position. I don't think anything further is needed on this matter. Congress's stand has been very clear, we are with the people suffering in Gaza. There is no fuel there, hospitals are paralyzed and women and children have been attacked. This is not correct. Palestine people need support from the world community."
Tharoor in a rally referred to Hamas as a terrorist group and said that the ongoing air strikes in Gaza by Israel in response to the October 7 attack on it was "disproportionate," as a greater number of Palestinian people were killed in the past 19 days compared to those who lost their lives in the region since the year 2008.
Clarifying his stance, Tharoor said, "I am with the Palestinian people then and now. Nobody who heard my speech will feel it is a speech in favour of Israel. If out of a 32-minute speech, only one word is highlighted to attack me, then I have nothing more to say in this whole controversy.
Further speaking on the Keraleeyam project in the state, Ramesh Chennithala requested the state government to stop this kind of activity which is going to have corruption in its grassroots.
"The Keraleeyam project launched by the state government is campaigned by utilising the people's money. This is a political propaganda. The people of Kerala have understood this. This is total corruption and only to help the party's people. Chief Minister and other leaders visiting 140 constituencies are only a step of the election campaign. This cannot be justified as they are misusing the power. I request the state government to take back this kind of activity which is going to have corruption in the grassroots," Ramesh Chennithala said.
The Keraleeyam project will start on November 1 and will continue till 7. It will present all the achievements and the heritage of the state to the world.
