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Last Updated:<\/span>December 05, 2025, 19:13 IST<\/time><\/p>\nThe Congress has pointed out that Leaders of Opposition in Parliament, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, were not invited to the banquet.<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/p>\nSenior Congress leader Pawan Khera (PTI image)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nCongress leader Pawan Khera on Friday questioned party MP Shashi Tharoor for accepting an invitation to the President\u2019s banquet held in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s visit to India, expressing surprise at the invite and saying that the decision to attend raised questions of conscience.<\/p>\n\u201cIt\u2019s quite surprising that an invitation was sent and the invitation was accepted also. Everyone\u2019s conscience has a voice. When my leaders aren\u2019t invited, but I am, we should understand why the game is being played, who is playing the game, and why we shouldn\u2019t be part of it,” Khera said.<\/p>\n\n\n#WATCH<\/a> | Delhi | On Congress MP Shashi Tharoor invited to the President\u2019s banquet organised in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s visit to India, Congress leader Pawan Khera says, \u201cIt\u2019s quite surprising that an invitation was sent and the invitation was accepted also.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Zd46l3L1HJ<\/a>\u2014 ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nKhera also accused the government of breaking protocols and undermining democratic principles. \u201cThere is no invite to both the LoPs, Mr (Mallikarjun) Kharge and Mr (Rahul) Gandhi\u2026 This government is known to be breaching all protocols. What else to say, ask the government,” he said.<\/p>\nTharoor, who is the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, defended his decision to attend, noting that there was a tradition of inviting the chairperson of the committee to such events. \u201cIt has been resumed \u2026I have been invited, yes. I will definitely go,” he said.<\/p>\nOn the LoPs reportedly not being invited, Tharoor added, \u201cI don\u2019t know on what basis invitations were sent. I think the custom that usually used to be followed was for a wide representation. Certainly, I remember in the olden days, they used to invite not only the LoPs, (but) various other cross section of representatives of different parties. It conveys a good impression.”<\/p>\nEarlier, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government instructs visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet the Leader of the Opposition, citing insecurity.<\/p>\n\u201cNormally the tradition is that those who come from abroad have a meeting with the LoP. This used to happen during (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji\u2019s time, Manmohan Singh ji\u2019s time, it has been a tradition but what happens these days is that when foreign dignitaries come and when I go abroad, the government suggests to them to not meet the LoP,” he said ahead of Putin\u2019s two-day visit.<\/p>\n(With inputs from PTI)<\/em><\/p>\n\nClick here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nFirst Published:<\/span><\/p>\n\nDecember 05, 2025, 19:06 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNews<\/a> politics<\/a> \u2018Everyone\u2019s Conscience Has A Voice\u2019: Pawan Khera Reacts To Shashi Tharoor\u2019s Banquet Invite<\/span><\/div>\n\n\nDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera (PTI image)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Congress leader Pawan Khera on Friday questioned party MP Shashi Tharoor for accepting an invitation to the President\u2019s banquet held in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s visit to India, expressing surprise at the invite and saying that the decision to attend raised questions of conscience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s quite surprising that an invitation was sent and the invitation was accepted also. Everyone\u2019s conscience has a voice. When my leaders aren\u2019t invited, but I am, we should understand why the game is being played, who is playing the game, and why we shouldn\u2019t be part of it,” Khera said.<\/p>\n
\n#WATCH<\/a> | Delhi | On Congress MP Shashi Tharoor invited to the President\u2019s banquet organised in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s visit to India, Congress leader Pawan Khera says, \u201cIt\u2019s quite surprising that an invitation was sent and the invitation was accepted also.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Zd46l3L1HJ<\/a>\u2014 ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nKhera also accused the government of breaking protocols and undermining democratic principles. \u201cThere is no invite to both the LoPs, Mr (Mallikarjun) Kharge and Mr (Rahul) Gandhi\u2026 This government is known to be breaching all protocols. What else to say, ask the government,” he said.<\/p>\nTharoor, who is the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, defended his decision to attend, noting that there was a tradition of inviting the chairperson of the committee to such events. \u201cIt has been resumed \u2026I have been invited, yes. I will definitely go,” he said.<\/p>\nOn the LoPs reportedly not being invited, Tharoor added, \u201cI don\u2019t know on what basis invitations were sent. I think the custom that usually used to be followed was for a wide representation. Certainly, I remember in the olden days, they used to invite not only the LoPs, (but) various other cross section of representatives of different parties. It conveys a good impression.”<\/p>\nEarlier, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government instructs visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet the Leader of the Opposition, citing insecurity.<\/p>\n\u201cNormally the tradition is that those who come from abroad have a meeting with the LoP. This used to happen during (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji\u2019s time, Manmohan Singh ji\u2019s time, it has been a tradition but what happens these days is that when foreign dignitaries come and when I go abroad, the government suggests to them to not meet the LoP,” he said ahead of Putin\u2019s two-day visit.<\/p>\n(With inputs from PTI)<\/em><\/p>\n\nClick here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nFirst Published:<\/span><\/p>\n\nDecember 05, 2025, 19:06 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNews<\/a> politics<\/a> \u2018Everyone\u2019s Conscience Has A Voice\u2019: Pawan Khera Reacts To Shashi Tharoor\u2019s Banquet Invite<\/span><\/div>\n\n\nDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
#WATCH<\/a> | Delhi | On Congress MP Shashi Tharoor invited to the President\u2019s banquet organised in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s visit to India, Congress leader Pawan Khera says, \u201cIt\u2019s quite surprising that an invitation was sent and the invitation was accepted also.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Zd46l3L1HJ<\/a>\u2014 ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\nKhera also accused the government of breaking protocols and undermining democratic principles. \u201cThere is no invite to both the LoPs, Mr (Mallikarjun) Kharge and Mr (Rahul) Gandhi\u2026 This government is known to be breaching all protocols. What else to say, ask the government,” he said.<\/p>\nTharoor, who is the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, defended his decision to attend, noting that there was a tradition of inviting the chairperson of the committee to such events. \u201cIt has been resumed \u2026I have been invited, yes. I will definitely go,” he said.<\/p>\nOn the LoPs reportedly not being invited, Tharoor added, \u201cI don\u2019t know on what basis invitations were sent. I think the custom that usually used to be followed was for a wide representation. Certainly, I remember in the olden days, they used to invite not only the LoPs, (but) various other cross section of representatives of different parties. It conveys a good impression.”<\/p>\nEarlier, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government instructs visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet the Leader of the Opposition, citing insecurity.<\/p>\n\u201cNormally the tradition is that those who come from abroad have a meeting with the LoP. This used to happen during (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji\u2019s time, Manmohan Singh ji\u2019s time, it has been a tradition but what happens these days is that when foreign dignitaries come and when I go abroad, the government suggests to them to not meet the LoP,” he said ahead of Putin\u2019s two-day visit.<\/p>\n(With inputs from PTI)<\/em><\/p>\n\nClick here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nFirst Published:<\/span><\/p>\n\nDecember 05, 2025, 19:06 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNews<\/a> politics<\/a> \u2018Everyone\u2019s Conscience Has A Voice\u2019: Pawan Khera Reacts To Shashi Tharoor\u2019s Banquet Invite<\/span><\/div>\n\n\nDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Khera also accused the government of breaking protocols and undermining democratic principles. \u201cThere is no invite to both the LoPs, Mr (Mallikarjun) Kharge and Mr (Rahul) Gandhi\u2026 This government is known to be breaching all protocols. What else to say, ask the government,” he said.<\/p>\n
Tharoor, who is the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, defended his decision to attend, noting that there was a tradition of inviting the chairperson of the committee to such events. \u201cIt has been resumed \u2026I have been invited, yes. I will definitely go,” he said.<\/p>\n
On the LoPs reportedly not being invited, Tharoor added, \u201cI don\u2019t know on what basis invitations were sent. I think the custom that usually used to be followed was for a wide representation. Certainly, I remember in the olden days, they used to invite not only the LoPs, (but) various other cross section of representatives of different parties. It conveys a good impression.”<\/p>\n
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government instructs visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet the Leader of the Opposition, citing insecurity.<\/p>\n
\u201cNormally the tradition is that those who come from abroad have a meeting with the LoP. This used to happen during (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee ji\u2019s time, Manmohan Singh ji\u2019s time, it has been a tradition but what happens these days is that when foreign dignitaries come and when I go abroad, the government suggests to them to not meet the LoP,” he said ahead of Putin\u2019s two-day visit.<\/p>\n
(With inputs from PTI)<\/em><\/p>\n\nClick here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. <\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\nFirst Published:<\/span><\/p>\n\nDecember 05, 2025, 19:06 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNews<\/a> politics<\/a> \u2018Everyone\u2019s Conscience Has A Voice\u2019: Pawan Khera Reacts To Shashi Tharoor\u2019s Banquet Invite<\/span><\/div>\n\n\nDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
December 05, 2025, 19:06 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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