While answering a repeated question on who could be an alternative to PM Narendra Modi to spearhead the government, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday said in a parliamentary system, the question of who is 'irrelevant' as people are not voting to elect a particular individual but a party or a coalition of parties. Tharoor, the Congress MP from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram is seeking a record fourth term this time.
What did Tharoor say?
Taking it to X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor said, "Yet again a journalist has asked me to identify an individual who is the alternative to Mr Modi. The question is irrelevant in the Parliamentary system."
"We are not electing an individual (as in a presidential system), but a party, or coalition of parties, that represents a set of principles and convictions that are invaluable to preserve India's diversity, pluralism and inclusive growth," the Congress leader said.
Instead, as Tharoor explained, the alternative to Prime Minister Modi is a group of experienced, capable and diverse leaders who will be responsive to people's problems and not driven by individual ego.
"The alternative to Mr Modi is a group of experienced, capable and diverse Indian leaders who will be responsive to people's problems and not driven by individual ego," Tharoor asserted.
Which specific person they will choose to be the prime minister is a secondary consideration, the Congress Working Committee member said.
"Protecting our democracy and diversity comes first," Tharoor asserted.
