A political debate between K. Annamalai and Shashi Tharoor at the Stanford India Conference in Stanford University has sparked widespread discussion online after clips from the interaction went viral on social media platforms.

Speaking during the event in San Francisco, Annamalai praised Tharoor as an “erudite politician” and acknowledged his role in representing India on international platforms, including at the United Nations. However, the BJP leader also sharply criticised the Congress party’s political approach, particularly in southern states.

During the discussion, Annamalai questioned Congress’s stand on regional politics and employment-related issues, arguing that many economic and structural challenges in India existed long before the BJP came to power in several northern states. He said blaming the BJP for problems rooted in earlier decades was politically misleading.

The Tamil Nadu BJP chief also took aim at Congress’s shifting alliances and changing political messaging in Tamil Nadu. Referring to the party’s evolving stand regarding actor-turned-politician Vijay and his growing political presence, Annamalai accused Congress of rapidly changing its political tone for convenience.

“Even chameleons will not change colours that fast,” Annamalai remarked during the exchange, a statement that quickly gained attention online and triggered reactions across political circles and social media.

Annamalai also defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and dismissed opposition concerns over genuine voters allegedly being removed from voter lists. Questioning the criticism surrounding the process, he asked whether any real voter had publicly claimed disenfranchisement because of the revision exercise.

Despite his criticism of Congress politics, Annamalai maintained a respectful tone towards Tharoor personally, describing him as a well-read and accomplished public figure. He added, however, that differences emerge when leaders like Tharoor adopt what he called “the Congress party line” instead of focusing on governance and development-driven politics.