Shashi Tharoor’s Big Take On Rahul Gandhi’s Student Campaign: ‘It Didn’t Connect Like CJP’

Published 7 August 2026 · local

News india Shashi Tharoor’s Big Take On Rahul Gandhi’s Student Campaign: ‘It Didn’t Connect Like CJP’s Shashi Tharoor’s Big Take On Rahul Gandhi’s Student Campaign

News india Shashi Tharoor’s Big Take On Rahul Gandhi’s Student Campaign: ‘It Didn’t Connect Like CJP’s Shashi Tharoor’s Big Take On Rahul Gandhi’s Student Campaign: ‘It Didn’t Connect Like CJP’s Published By, Last Updated: August 07, 2026, 22:00 IST Shashi Tharoor said Rahul Gandhi's Chhatron Ki Goonj campaign raised many of the same student issues later championed by the CJP, but failed to connect with people. Rapid Read News18 Tharoor said the concerns highlighted by the CJP had already been taken up by the Congress through Rahul Gandhi’s student outreach campaign. “Interestingly, the issues taken up by the CJP were something my party took up, Rahul Gandhi took up with Chhatron Ki Goonj," he said. Reflecting on the different public response, Tharoor added, “But we have to see why it did not resonate as much. We need to have a finger on the pulse of the people." Rahul Gandhi’s Chhatron Ki Goonj campaign focused on issues affecting students, with the Congress leader alleging that India’s education system had become trapped in an exploitative ecosystem under the government’s watch.

While the campaign raised concerns similar to those later voiced during the CJP protests, it did not witness the same level of mobilisation. Meanwhile, the CJP launched protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding accountability over examination paper leaks, with one of its key demands being the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Gen Z Wants Change, Says Tharoor The Congress MP said political parties across South Asia could no longer rely on conventional politics, pointing to the growing influence of young voters. “Gen Z will be the single largest voting cohort in 2029," he said. VIDEO | Mumbai: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) says, “I believe that in politics, you must listen to people and engage with them… Ultimately, politics is about the good of the country. And young people are now an increasingly significant segment of our population.… pic.twitter.com/XlM7QGtRJB— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 7, 2026 “Much of the subcontinent has to wake up and come to grips with the phenomenon that young people want change.

It cannot be business as usual." His Formula for Opposition Politics Reiterating his stand on the Opposition’s role, Tharoor said protests on the streets and debates inside Parliament should complement each other. “I have been advocating this in my party," he said. “Sadak ka kaam sadak par. Sadan ka kaam, sadan mein." Defends Independent Views Tharoor also defended expressing views that may not always align with the Congress leadership. “I am not disloyal to my party but I express my independent views. Sometimes my views can be used by my opponents. The Congress is the least undemocratic. Have you heard of anyone expressing dissent in the BJP and survive? I am in the party that is closest to my views." Responds to Criticism Over Sharing Stage With Bhagwat The Congress leader also addressed criticism over appearing at a platform attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat during the 15th anniversary celebrations of the India International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) in Mumbai.