KOLKATA: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday expressed mixed feelings about Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his book launch here. His statements were construed by parts of media as praise for Modi even though he was highly critical of his politics.Tharoor said he was "impressed by Modi congratulatory tweet" and it was "gracious" of him to "reach out" to him after his win in the Lok Sabha polls.But, Shashi Tharoor also said Modi was still riding the rhetoric of politics of identity. ​ He was extremely critical of the Prime Minister throughout the discussion that followed the launch of his latest book which incidentally is also critical of Modi."The contradiction in Modi's politics and his governance agenda will persist and will sow the seeds of his subsequent failure," he said adding, "the gap between his promises and performance is wide.""At some point, he has to ask himself what sort of leader he wants to be: a leader who delivers on his promises to bring about prosperity, create jobs etc or a leader who led the BJP to its consolidation of power. This is a choice he has to make and he has to control the obnoxious voices from the ranks of his Parivaar or see his dream of getting investments dying."On a query about Modi being an outsider in Delhi, Tharoor said: "Delhi is like Hinduism that encompasses and assimilates many foreign ideas and concepts. Like Buddhism, which started as a revolt against Hinduism, has been assimilated by many Hindus who look upon Buddha as a Hindu God. Modi will also be assimilated and even if he is not, his close aides he got over from Gujarat will be."Tharoor listed the reasons for the defeat of the Congress in 2014 and added: "The positive side to the BJP win was Modi's message of development and the perception of his rule in Gujarat." However, he also warned, "Modi's failure to deliver on the high expectations he has stoked will cost him dear in 2019. We (the Congress) look forward to getting even in 2019."Tharoor's book is a collection of essays that mirror his reflections on India post-2014 and, naturally, Tharoor writes about the mandate that Modi got.​Shashi Tharoor targeted the media, saying Indian media is free and irresponsible. "I have been misquoted in media, being defamed now day in and day out," he said.