NEW DELHI: A day after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor got an earful from party chief Sonia Gandhi in a party strategy meeting, appreciation of his speech in Oxford on the need for British reparations for colonial rule in India from Prime Minister Narendra Modi could perhaps make matters worse for the former UN diplomat.

An unfazed Tharoor, however, acknowledged Modi's praise and said that it bespoke of a large heart. The only Congress MP present at a function organized by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to launch a new initiative to help MPs understand parliamentary issues, Tharoor received accolades from Mahajan and other BJP leaders.

Political tongues began wagging on the timing of the praise soon after Modi spoke of the need to freely air views on national issues irrespective of the party affiliations. "The Oxford debate has a huge significance. It is good that Shashiji was there ... What he spoke there reflected the sentiments of the citizens of India," he said, while inaugurating a workshop on the Speaker's Research Initiative (SRI) to train MPs on various subjects of global importance.

To add to Congress' discomfort, words of praise for Tharoor also came from the Speaker, who said his speech at the Oxford University was appreciated by all. "You (Tharoor) had spoken from your heart," she said.

READ ALSO: ‘Sonia Gandhi literally blasted Shashi Tharoor’

Tharoor later acknowledged Modi's praise for him saying he (Modi) spoke with a large heart. Only on Wednesday, he was snubbed by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi for his remarks disapproving disruptions in Parliament.

Modi pointed out that Tharoor's speech, in which he had demanded reparation payments from the UK to India for 200 years of its colonial rule, has gone viral on Youtube.

He said the significance of Tharoor's speech lay in the timing and place, which many times becomes a "turning point" of events. "It is important what we leave behind at the right place, the occasion is also important," he said as the Kerala MP, seated in the front row, acknowledged Modi's remarks with a smile.

READ ALSO: Shashi Tharoor's Oxford address revives colonial debate

Tharoor later responded to the PM's appreciation by tweeting "Absolutely gracious of @narendramodi ji but yes, @INCIndia 's demands remain: Standards of integrity must be upheld."

Soon after however an interesting tweet followed from Congress leader Sachin Pilot saying, "Very kind of @narendramodi Ji to praise @ShashiTharoor in Parliament but let's move on to real issues now. We still call for resignations!" in a reminder to Congress that the battle in Parliament is still on between the two sides.