What Does Tharoor's Reaction Reveal About the Current Political Climate?

New Delhi: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday suggested Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, to sit on a dharna for acquiring land for a railway project in Kerala. The Congress MP said that Vaishnaw's response was "extraordinary" and he was taken 'aback' by the railways minister's comments.

"How Should Politicians Respond to Controversial Remarks?"

Vaishnaw's comments came while replying to a question on the Nemom railway terminal project in Thiruvananthapuram. During Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, the Congress leader highlighted media reports about the delay and insufficient funds for the project, which can help decongest the railway line to Thiruvananthapuram Central.

In response, the Railways Minister said the government's focus is to make sure the big cities and junctions are decongested, and new terminals are built and that a lot of emphasis is given on designing them so that the demands and requirements of the next 50 years are met.

"The question in Kerala is not of funds. We have already deposited ₹ 2,150 crore for acquiring land... I would request Shashi Tharoor ji, a very influential MP whom entire Kerala listens to, if required, to sit on a 'dharna' in front of the honourable state government and make sure that the land is acquired," Vaishnaw said.

Responding to Vaishnaw's comments. Tharoor said that he had taken "aback" by the Railways Minister's comments. The Congress MP took to social media platform X and shared the video of Vaishanw's comments.

Video of Ashwini Vaishnaw's response:

Along with the video, the Congress leader wrote, "My question in the Lok Sabha today to railway minister @AshwiniVaishnaw . The minister‘s response was extraordinary. He stated that despite media reports to the contrary, the issue was not finance but land acquisition, which is the failure of the state government, and he recommended that I go and conduct a dharna in front of the @CMOKerala ‘s office! My colleagues and I were somewhat taken aback by this advice."

In August this year, the work for the construction of the proposed coaching terminal at Nemom railway station, renamed as Thiruvananthapuram South Railway Station, began. The Nemom project aims to decongest Kerala's railways network in Thiruvananthapuram.