Congress parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor on Friday, October 23, 2026 countered the BJP's 'failed product' jibe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying Gandhi has ignited new enthusiasm among people, particularly young voters, in the past few months, IANS reported from the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi. Tharoor said it was time for the ruling BJP to 'sit up and pay attention' to the growing disenchantment, and claimed the ruling party had in fact already started paying attention — which, he said, is why they are 'trying to demonise him'. These are Tharoor's claims and characterisations, reported as his remarks.

Source: IANS — Has ignited new enthusiasm among young voters: Tharoor counters 'failed product' jab on Rahul (Oct 23, 2026)

Tharoor's support came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also speaking at the NDTV World Summit, took a dig at Gandhi without naming him, IANS reported. 'I don't know how long the Congress will continue to put the country at stake for the launch of its failed product. (The Satish Dhawan Space Centre at) Sriharikota does not see as many launches as the Congress tries, unsuccessfully, to launch its leader in a year,' Modi said, per the IANS report. Nation Press's report of Tharoor's remarks carried the same exchange and the same Modi quote.

Source: Nation Press — Tharoor: Rahul Gandhi has ignited enthusiasm among young voters, BJP should pay attention (Oct 23, 2026)

Intra-party democracy defence

Tharoor also countered the Prime Minister's charge that the Gandhi family and surname were now a burden on the party, IANS reported. 'Ours is a party with a tremendous amount of intra-party democracy. I have expressed views that have sometimes been at variance in my party, but I'm still here,' he said, noting that he campaigns for his government as a leader and chairs the parliamentary committee on external affairs. IANS noted Gandhi has been spearheading the Opposition campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging large-scale manipulation of electoral rolls at the BJP's behest — allegations the BJP and the Commission have previously rejected in other reporting; they are recorded here as the Opposition's allegations.

Source: IANS via IANS Live (Oct 23, 2026)