Congress 'surprised' by Tharoor's criticism of Nehru's policy

Congress today expressed surprise at the reported criticism of the foreign policy of the country's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru by minister of State for external affairs Shashi Tharoor.
   
"I am very surprised by the style of Tharoor. He is a member of the Congress and his responsibility is to carry forward the legacy of Pandit Nehru and not to be critical of it," party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed told PTI.
   
Ahmed said Nehru was instrumental in formulating the foreign policy of the country even before Inedependence under the inspiration and guidance of Mahatma Gandhi.
   
"That is why I am surprised. Even after Independence, Nehru carried forward the policy of national consensus on foreign policy," the spokesman said.
   
He said the policy of non-alignment and the non-aligned movement in association with other great leaders of the world is well recognised and appreciated in history.
   
"The entire world appreciates it. It was a new idea," Ahmed said.
   
Another senior party leader on condition of anonymity said they have taken cognizance of the matter.