Amid growing speculation about his future in the Congress party, Shashi Tharoor has confirmed that he will be attending a high-level meeting convened by the party leadership in New Delhi. The Thiruvananthapuram MP's statement comes at a time when political circles are abuzz with rumors of internal tensions between him and the Congress leadership in Kerala. Reports of a rift have only intensified following his recent remarks, which some have interpreted as an indication that he is keeping his political options open. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has called senior leaders and representatives from Kerala for a crucial discussion on February 28, aiming to address internal dissent and strategize for the upcoming Assembly elections. As the main opposition party in the state, the Congress is determined to put up a strong fight against the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, making these deliberations all the more important.
Speaking about the upcoming meeting, Tharoor attempted to dispel speculation about his future, stating, “I will attend the meeting called by the party on Friday. Let’s see how it goes.” However, his recent remarks in an IE Malayalam podcast have fueled intense political discussions. Addressing the controversy surrounding his statements, Tharoor questioned the backlash, insisting that there was nothing controversial in what he had said. “If you have heard the podcast, I would like to know what exactly is controversial. Can you tell me what the issue is? I haven’t said anything particularly [controversial]. It was 45 minutes of my life,” he remarked.
During the podcast, Tharoor reaffirmed his commitment to the Congress party but also hinted at keeping his future options open. “If the party wants me, I will be there. If not, I have my own things to do. You should not think I don’t have any options,” he said. This particular statement has been widely analyzed by political observers, with some interpreting it as a subtle warning to the Congress leadership that he is not entirely dependent on the party for his political career. His comments have led to speculation that he may be contemplating alternative political paths, though Tharoor has not explicitly suggested such a move.
The controversy surrounding Tharoor deepened after he penned an article praising the Kerala government’s entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem. His words of appreciation for the Left-led state government were met with strong resistance from within the Congress, with many party leaders in Kerala viewing it as an endorsement of their primary political rival. The backlash was swift, with senior Congress figures in the state publicly expressing their discontent over Tharoor’s remarks. This development added fuel to ongoing speculations about his growing differences with the Kerala Congress leadership.
Following the controversy, Tharoor traveled to New Delhi, where he held discussions with Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and other senior AICC leaders in an effort to clarify his position. After these meetings, he sought to downplay the tensions, dismissing the controversy as unnecessary. “I had a very good conversation with Rahul Gandhi. Much ado is being created over an issue based on my article in an English daily,” he told reporters.
Clarifying his views, Tharoor insisted that his comments on Kerala’s business-friendly policies were not based on any CPI(M) document or propaganda but rather on global startup ecosystem reports and the central government’s ease-of-doing-business index. “If there is a more reliable source, I am open to correction,” he stated. His response aimed to counter accusations that he had been unduly praising the Pinarayi Vijayan government while undermining his own party’s stance.
Addressing reports of friction with state Congress leaders, Tharoor reiterated that he had no personal grievances. “I have no issues with any of the leaders in the state. If they have issues, it is up to them to decide whether they are resolved or not. I have never made any complaint against anyone,” he said, signaling his willingness to cooperate while also making it clear that he would not be drawn into unnecessary confrontations.
As speculation continues to mount, all eyes are now on the February 28 AICC meeting, which is expected to shed light on Tharoor’s standing within the party and the future course of action for the Congress in Kerala. With Assembly elections looming, the party is keen to present a united front against the ruling LDF, but Tharoor’s independent stance, growing popularity, and refusal to toe the official line have made him a crucial factor in the party’s political calculations. Whether the Congress leadership in Delhi will step in to bridge the internal differences or whether the tensions will persist remains to be seen. The outcome of this meeting could have a lasting impact on Tharoor’s role within the party and the Congress’s overall electoral strategy in Kerala.
