THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress leaders in the state are upset with

MP Shashi Tharoor for praising the works of Prime Minister

. The leaders are upset that Tharoor made a public statement praising Modi, instead of speaking inside the party forum.

“He should have aired his opinion inside the parliamentary party or in any party forum. It was not proper for him to comment like that when the Congress is taking on the BJP nationally. It was most unfortunate that he has commented against the interest of the party,” said KPCC president

.

Opposition leader

too came out in protest against Tharoor. “None of the works undertaken by Modi has created an impression among the Congress. I do not think any of the Congress leader will accept what Modi is doing now. Hence, such a statement will not do any good for the party. He should have avoided it,” said Ramesh.

However, an undeterred Tharoor made it clear he was not ready to go back from his statement or withdraw it. “There is no harm in praising the good works. One should understand why people are supporting Modi. Hence, we will have to accept the fact. It does not mean that I am supporting Modi. I was the one who have been a strong critic of Modi and there are two cases pending against me for criticising him,” said Tharoor.

Tharoor and

had come out in support of their party colleague Jairam Ramesh who said that “demonising the prime minister was wrong and he should be praised for the right things he does’’.