What about Obama? Tharoor counters historian over Rahul Gandhi's PM qualifications

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday came out in defence of his senior party colleague Rahul Gandhi after noted historian and author Ramachandra Guha questioned Gandhi’s lack of experience and political trajectory, arguing that democratic politics across the world has seen leaders rise to top positions despite not initially holding executive office.

Guha, in a recent media interview, questioned Gandhi’s credentials to serve as India’s Prime Minister, specifically highlighting his lack of conventional administrative experience and foreign policy acumen to navigate grave international crises. He asked what qualified Gandhi for the post beyond his political lineage and personal decency.

Responding on X, Tharoor described Guha’s criticism as “a bit much”, citing historical and contemporary parallels including former US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to argue that prior executive or foreign policy experience is not a prerequisite for national leadership.

"Come on, Ramachandra Guha, this is a bit much. What experience did Barack Obama, a first-term Senator from Illinois, have in world affairs when he became President of the most powerful country on earth, while it was caught up in multiple global issues? For that matter, how much international exposure did the CM of Gujarat have to manage India’s International relationships?" he wrote.

The senior Congress MP further argued that Rahul Gandhi has led a national party for over a decade and has "extensive contacts with leaders around the world and no shortage of advisers inside and outside his party".

"No President or PM handles crises alone; that’s why he heads a government! I think it’s time to put this overblown controversy to rest," he said.

Earlier this week, speaking to the news outlet The Wire, Guha asked,"What has he done to show that, if he (Rahul Gandhi) becomes Prime Minister, he can handle a grave and complex situation with equanimity and wisdom?"

"So I think it matters to many people what qualifies him except for his personal decency, that only two things that qualify. One is negative: his distinct entitlement, the fact that his mother, his father, grandmother, and great-grandfather were prime ministers," the historian argued.

Guha further claimed that Congress could have projected other leaders with sufficient administrative and ministerial experience for the Prime Minister’s post instead of Gandhi.

However, Tharoor rejected the argument that a politician’s effectiveness should be measured solely through prior administrative experience, pointing to several successful global leaders who assumed office without extensive executive backgrounds.

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