Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday clarified why he did not campaign for the Nilambur bypoll in Kerala, stating candidly that the party leadership never invited him. While making it clear there was no explicit snub or fallout, Tharoor’s remarks reflect the delicate internal dynamics at play within the Congress, especially in Kerala.
Speaking to reporters, Tharoor said:
“I wasn’t invited by the party. But that’s alright... When I came back [from a diplomatic trip], there was no insistence, no missed call from the leadership saying I should come.”
Tharoor maintained a calm and conciliatory tone, smiling as he brushed off speculation of a rift with the party high command. He acknowledged that there were “some differences” with the leadership, but added that such matters should be resolved internally and not aired in public.
Despite his absence from the campaign, he expressed support for the party's candidate and said he had urged people to vote for Congress on polling day. He noted that he had used the time to fulfill prior responsibilities, including chairing a Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting.
Context: Diplomacy and Internal Party Friction
Tharoor had just returned from a five-nation diplomatic mission, leading an all-party delegation following India’s Operation Sindoor—a counter-terror strike after the Pahalgam attack. During the mission, Tharoor made several statements that raised eyebrows within Congress ranks:
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He praised Prime Minister Modi’s handling of the situation.
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He did not highlight the UPA-era surgical strikes, a sensitive omission for party hardliners.
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His balanced, statesman-like comments were seen by some as too conciliatory toward the BJP-led government.
This diplomatic tour and his tone during it reportedly left some Congress leaders feeling uneasy, feeding speculation that his absence from Nilambur was linked to internal displeasure.
Tharoor's Position: Loyalty and Differences Can Coexist
Tharoor, a four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram, reiterated his deep bond with party workers, especially in Kerala. He emphasized that differences with leadership were natural in a big party like the Congress, but he remained committed to its values:
“Yes, there may have been differences... Those can be sorted out in closed-door conversations.”
His statement is a measured reaffirmation of loyalty, even while signaling that he is not fully aligned with every aspect of the party’s direction or response.
Bigger Picture
Tharoor has long straddled the line between intellectual independence and party discipline—a role that has made him both admired and controversial within the Congress. His current posture seems to reflect a desire to reassert relevance, preserve dignity, and avoid confrontation, even as he continues to be seen as a potential reformist voice within a party grappling with identity and cohesion.
In sum, while there is no open rebellion, the episode underscores the underlying tension between Tharoor’s national statesmanship and the Congress leadership’s sensitivities—especially ahead of key state and national elections.
