At Putin dinner, Tharoor in but Rahul and Kharge out

POLITICAL tempers ran high on Friday after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor appeared on the guest list for the state dinner hosted for Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses — Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge — were conspicuously left out.

- PREETHA NAIR @New Delhi

The controversy erupted just a day after Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of “breaking tradition” and not allowing foreign dignitaries to meet the LoP out of “insecurity”. A furious Congress hit back at the government, calling the move deliberate. The party also criticised Tharoor for accepting the invitation, saying he “should have listened to his conscience”. Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said, “The two LoPs have not been invited.”