Mumbai, August 20: Did Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who appears to be at a political crossroads in his relationship with party leadership after praising PM Narendra Modi, again differed from the party line over a bill proposing forced ousting of jailed Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Ministers facing criminal charges? The Thiruvananthapuram MP has issued a clarification after several media reports claimed he supported the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill 2025.

Several media outlets on Wednesday reported that while the opposition parties came down heavily on the Centre over three new bills seeking the removal of the government members held in custody for over 30 days on serious criminal charges, Shashi Tharoor sided with the government and said he "agrees" with the "core principle" of the legislation. Amit Shah Tables Constitution Amendment Bills, Opposition Tears Bill Throws Copies at Union Home Minister (Watch Video).

Did Shashi Tharoor Go Against Party Line and Speak in Favour of Bill To Oust PM, CMs, and Ministers?

However, giving a rest to the further speculations, Shashi Tharoor issued a clarification on X, formerly Twitter. "I specifically stated (& this was before the Opposition had taken a stand on the Bill) that I had not studied the bill but that on the face of it I could see nothing wrong with the proposition that wrongdoers should resign their ministerial positions. I added that I was neither supporting nor opposing the bill without studying it," Tharoor wrote. Online Gaming Bill 2025: Legislation to Regulate Online Gaming Introduced in Lok Sabha Amid Uproar by Opposition (Watch Video).

Shashi Tharoor Issues Clarification After Reports Claim He Spoke in Favour of Bill to Oust Jailed PM, CMs and Ministers

"My point was simple: if a minister spends 30 days in jail, it’s common sense he cannot remain in office but the wider intent of the Bill must be studied," he added. "Clickbait masquerading as journalism is a disservice to democracy!" Congress MP slammed media outlets.

"If you spend 30 days in jail, can you continue to be a minister? This is a matter of common sense... I don't see anything wrong in this," He said, “I think it is good for our democracy to have a discussion within the committee... so let's have that discussion,” Tharoor had told NDTV outside the Parliament.

About The Bill...

Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, along with two supplementary bills in the Lok Sabha. The proposed legislation stipulates that holders of high constitutional office must resign, or else automatically lose office, if they remain in custody for a month on charges carrying at least five years of potential imprisonment.

The legislation covers the Prime Minister, Union ministers, chief ministers and state ministers, including those in Union Territories. According to the draft, if such an office-bearer is arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal allegations, he or she must resign on the 31st day.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2025 05:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).