Congress MP highlights PM’s democracy pitch at Commonwealth Speakers conference
January 15, 2026: Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor shared glimpses from the 28th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference (CSPOC) held at the Central Hall of Sanvidhan Sadan, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an international gathering. In a post on X, Tharoor said he spent the day in Parliament with visiting delegates as PM Modi underlined India’s commitment to democracy and diversity during the opening plenary session. He also mentioned interacting with several foreign representatives attending the conference.
Sharing lighter moments from the event, Tharoor said he spoke with multiple international guests, including the Speakers of both the UK House of Commons and the House of Lords. He also posted about a brief interaction in the Central Hall, remarking on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s portrait overlooking the proceedings. The post drew attention as it reflected a rare moment of public engagement between a senior Congress leader and an event headlined by the Prime Minister.
This is not the first time Tharoor has publicly commented on PM Modi’s speeches. In the past, his remarks on Modi’s address at the Ramnath Goenka Lecture had sparked discussion within political circles. At the CSPOC event, PM Modi spoke about India’s democratic framework, last-mile delivery of governance and inclusive development, while also positioning India as a strong voice for the Global South and inviting partner nations to benefit from India’s innovations.