New Delhi: Shashi Tharoor will attend the state banquet hosted on Friday night for Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were left off the guest list, sparking sharp criticism within the party. Congress sources confirmed that the four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram has accepted the government’s invitation, a move that has triggered internal unease amid strained relations between Tharoor and the party leadership.

Tharoor said his presence at the event reflected the protocol extended to the head of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs – a position he currently holds. However, the absence of invitations to the Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses has reignited accusations that the government is sidelinin

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