New Delhi, June 19: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stated on Friday that for the US-Iran peace agreement to endure, both parties must feel victorious. He emphasized that this agreement is beneficial not only for Tehran and Washington but also for all countries, including India, grappling with the repercussions of the West Asian crisis.
In an exclusive interview, Tharoor raised concerns about the practicality of having 850 MPs in the Lok Sabha if the ‘Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill – 2026’ is passed.
Question: What is your opinion on the US-Iran peace agreement?
Answer: Every peace agreement requires all parties to feel they have won; otherwise, peace cannot last. You cannot create a peace agreement where one side must concede defeat, similar to the Treaty of Versailles after World War I, which led to World War II. Thus, we should avoid a situation where peace fails because one side feels humiliated. The best peace agreement allows both sides to offer something to their people, while the rest of the world can analyze it. For instance, Americans might say Iran will no longer enrich uranium, as they promised in the MoU to eliminate enriched uranium under IAEA supervision. Conversely, Iran has gained concessions, such as relief from sanctions and the restoration of frozen assets, aiding reconstruction from war damages. The world has faced rising oil prices and fuel shortages due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, everyone can claim benefits, and we can return to peace. However, this will not happen overnight, as mines still remain in the Strait. Donald Trump mentioned that oil supplies could resume, but Iran must first clear the mines. Many oil and gas facilities were destroyed during the war and need to be repaired and restarted, which takes time. We may have to endure difficult months ahead. If peace holds, we could return to pre-war conditions in about a year or a year and a half.
Question: The delimitation and women’s reservation bills did not pass in the Lok Sabha in April. There are reports that they may be reintroduced in the monsoon session?
Answer: Can there really be a parliament with 850 members? Is there any parliament in the world with 850 members? No, there isn’t. The US population has tripled, yet the House of Representatives remains at 435, as they understand that a large house becomes ineffective. With 850 members in the Indian Parliament, many would not have the opportunity to speak during Zero Hour, and many issues would go unaddressed. Even with 543 members, it is a challenge. With 850, it would be nearly impossible. In the US, every state, large or small, has two senators. Should we consider a similar option in India? This way, the upper house could serve as a balancing chamber. Another idea is that the European Union has 27 countries, while we have 28 states. The EU mandates that smaller countries have fewer MPs and larger ones have more. Shouldn’t we try something similar? This would minimize the disparity between states like Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim. Currently, Sikkim’s voice is almost unheard in Parliament. These are discussions we should have, rather than hastily deciding to increase the number of seats by 50 percent. The figure of 850 is laughable; such a parliament cannot be taken seriously.
Question: PM Modi has recently become the longest-serving Prime Minister in India’s history. What are your thoughts on this?
Answer: He is not just the longest-serving Prime Minister but the one who has been continuously elected for the longest time. I think we all agree that he possesses great enthusiasm and energy, along with a vision. Whether you agree with that vision or not, he presents it clearly. He is a powerful speaker, possibly one of the best in Hindi that this country has seen. He particularly connects with those who speak that language. His national presence is significant, and there is no doubt that he has made an impact on many aspects of Indian life, society, and politics. However, we have also seen some negative aspects from the opposition. We are concerned about the increasing division and communal strife in the country. Additionally, the political rhetoric promoted by the ruling party and its supporters has unfortunately led to a large segment of the population feeling alienated. Over the past 12 years, our democracy’s independent institutions have been hollowed out, raising various genuine concerns. Personally, I believe he has accomplished many things correctly, but there have also been numerous developments that are not beneficial for India.
Question: What is your opinion on the split in the Trinamool Congress?
Answer: I don’t think anyone doubts that there must have been some greed, benefit, or threat behind it. And such actions can only be taken by the ruling party, as they hold the power. As you know, the largest faction that split, comprising 20 MPs from the Trinamool Congress, has openly stated they will now join the NDA. These are the same MPs who have been attacking the NDA for the past 12 years. So, their sudden ‘goodwill’ indicates that our country’s politics lacks principles.
Leave a Comment