Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has decided to skip an upcoming meeting convened by the Congress high command to review the party’s strategy and preparedness for the Kerala Assembly elections. According to sources, his decision follows deep dissatisfaction over how he was treated at a recent Mahapanchayat event in Kochi, which was also attended by senior party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.
Tharoor’s decision to stay away from the crucial meeting is being seen as a clear indication of internal unease within the party at a sensitive political moment, with Kerala elections approaching. Sources say the episode has intensified existing tensions and highlighted underlying differences between Tharoor and sections of the party leadership.
Party insiders have indicated that Tharoor is unhappy with both the state leadership in Kerala and the central leadership in New Delhi. This dissatisfaction, they say, stems from what he perceives as repeated lapses in protocol and a broader lack of respect or recognition for his standing and contributions within the organisation.
According to people close to him, Tharoor has privately expressed his disappointment, suggesting that the Kochi incident was not an isolated case but part of a continuing pattern in which his role and seniority are overlooked. He is believed to have conveyed that such treatment has left him feeling marginalised within the party.
At the Mahapanchayat event in Kochi, confusion reportedly arose over the seating arrangements and the sequence of speakers. Tharoor was allegedly informed that only Rahul Gandhi would speak after him, in line with an agreed protocol. However, this understanding was later altered, and several other leaders addressed the gathering after Gandhi’s arrival.
This unexpected deviation from the communicated plan was viewed by Tharoor as a public slight, particularly given his senior position and stature within the Congress. Sources say the change in schedule, without prior clarification, added to his sense of being disregarded.
Adding to the discomfort, observers noted that during his address at the event, Rahul Gandhi did not acknowledge Tharoor by name. For many within the party, this omission stood out, given Tharoor’s prominence in national politics and his long association with the Congress in Kerala.
The combination of these factors — confusion over protocol, changes in the speaking order, and the absence of any direct acknowledgement — is said to have deepened Tharoor’s displeasure and influenced his decision to opt out of the forthcoming strategy meeting.
While he has chosen not to attend the Congress high command’s Kerala-focused meeting, Tharoor is expected to participate in the Kerala Literature Festival as scheduled, indicating that his withdrawal is limited to party forums rather than public or cultural engagements.
So far, the Congress leadership has not issued any official response or clarification regarding Tharoor’s reported discomfort or his decision to skip the election-related discussions, even as the episode continues to fuel debate within party ranks about internal coordination, protocol and respect for senior leaders.
