Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 28: Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Sunday sought to play down the political significance of his recent social media post referencing the BJP and the RSS, stating that his remarks were being misread. At the same time, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor voiced support for Singh’s broader call for greater discipline and organisational strength within the Congress.

Speaking to reporters, Tharoor said that strengthening the party structure was a shared objective. “Even I want our organisation to become stronger, and discipline within the party is a logical requirement,” he said. When asked to respond directly to Singh’s post, Tharoor avoided elaboration, remarking that Singh himself was best placed to explain his intent.

Singh, in a separate interaction with reporters, insisted that his post was not political in nature. He said there was no need for reactions to it and reiterated his long-standing ideological position. “The BJP’s politics has always revolved around divide and rule. The Nehru-Gandhi family has made enormous sacrifices, with two members having been martyred, and there can never be divisions within it, regardless of repeated attempts,” he said.

The controversy began on Saturday when Singh shared a 1996 photograph showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi seated on the floor next to BJP veteran L.K. Advani at a function in Gujarat. Along with the image, Singh remarked that the BJP and RSS provide space for grassroots workers to rise to the highest positions, including those of chief minister and prime minister.

Following criticism and speculation, Singh issued a clarification, underlining that while he acknowledged the organisational strength of the RSS, he remains firmly opposed to its ideology as well as that of the BJP. “I support organisational discipline, but I have always opposed the policies of the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. My remarks were misunderstood,” he said.

The comments drew a sharp response from the BJP. Senior leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad said Singh’s remarks reflected a belated acknowledgement of the BJP’s strong grassroots structure. “It’s good that Digvijaya Singh has finally realised how strong the BJP organisation is,” Prasad said.

Prasad also used the occasion to criticise the Congress leadership, taking aim at Rahul Gandhi’s role within the party. He questioned Gandhi’s influence, claiming that even senior leaders within the Congress feel unheard. Referring to another recent post by Singh addressed to Gandhi, Prasad said it highlighted internal dissatisfaction within the party.

Earlier, on December 19, Singh had publicly urged Rahul Gandhi to consider internal reforms and adopt a more decentralised approach to party functioning. Ending his message on a pointed note, Singh had written that the main challenge was that it was “not easy to convince” Gandhi.

The episode has once again brought internal Congress debates over leadership, discipline and organisational structure into the public spotlight.