Congress takes ‘party apparatchik’ jibe at India’s envoy to Ireland. Here’s what happened.

Jairam Ramesh said that for Mishra to attack the opposition as a mere party apparatchik was not expected by a high-rank official. The Congress on Tuesday sharply criticised India’s ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra, over his remarks criticising the previous Indian governments and praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA dispensation in a rejoinder to The Irish Times’ editorial on the upcoming Indian general elections. Responding to a post by the Embassy of India, Dublin, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that for Mishra to attack the opposition as a mere party apparatchik (someone who works for a government or a political party and always obeys orders) was not expected by a high-rank official.“Defending the Government of India is one thing and is to be expected. But to attack Opposition parties openly in this manner like a party apparatchik is not expected from an Ambassador even if he be a political appointment. This is unprofessional and disgraceful behaviour on his part-but is par for the Modi course I guess,” he said in a post on X. Ramesh further sought Mishra’s removal, claiming that his behaviour breached the service rules. “I stand corrected. This Ambassador is actually a career diplomat which makes his comments even more shameful, disgraceful and completely unacceptable. He has actually breached service rules and should be sacked right away,” he added. The Congress leader’s remarks came hours after the Indian envoy remarked in his “rejoinder” to an editorial published in The Irish Times over what the embassy said was a “highly biased and prejudiced editorial, casting aspersion on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian democracy, law enforcement institutions & ‘Hindu-majority’ people of India”. In the rejoinder, Mishra said, “Further to ‘The Irish Times’ view on the Indian election: Modi tightens his grip” (April 11th), Indian prime minister Narendra Modi enjoys unprecedented popularity and profile not only in India but globally because of his impeccable personal character and integrity and thought-leadership on innovative, inclusive governance and sustainable development.”