Shashi Tharoor criticises Kerala government’s ‘misplaced generosity’ in sending Turkey aid in 2023

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday alleged that the Kerala government displayed “misplaced generosity” by giving financial aid to earthquake-hit Turkey in 2023. His remark led to sharp responses from leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the ruling party in Kerala.

Tharoor’s comments came in the backdrop of Ankara’s support for Islamabad during heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, and amid reports that Pakistan used Turkish-made drones during the conflict.

The Congress MP on Friday referred to a report noting that the Kerala government had sanctioned Rs 10 crore as financial assistance to Turkey after the 2023 earthquake and said: “I hope the Govt of Kerala reflects on its misplaced generosity, after seeing Turkey's behaviour two years later. Not to mention that the people of Wayanad [just to take one Kerala example] could have used those ten crores far better.”