Senior Congress leader from Punjab Sunik Jhakkar created ripples within the Congress when he told a party forum led by Priyanka Vadra that Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury must be removed from the post of the leader of the Opposition. He told the panel that someone like Shashi Tharoor, who is articulate and can speak quite a few languages, should be made the chief of the Congress Parliamentary Party.

Stating that Adhir Ranjan was his best friend, Jhakkar said that though he is a spirited street fighter, Adhir is not articulate enough to be the parliamentary party leader. He said Shashi Tharoor fits the bill to the T. It ma be recalled that Adhir Ranjan has landed the party in the soup one too often. The recent instance is when he said that the Kashmir issue was an international matter.This opinion is contrary to the official standpoint of the Government of India and his statement has left the Congress red-faced. After his statement became controversial, Adhir Rajan had to issue a clarification.

Jhakkar argued that Shashi Tharoor, who is adept in handling diplomatic affairs and has a fair uncerstanding of the international affairs, should be made the president of the party.