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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has sent a strong message to his party, making it clear that if the leadership does not value his contributions, he has plenty of other things to do. The seasoned politician and former diplomat made the statement amid growing tensions within the party over his recent praises for Kerala’s rival Left government.
In an interview on The Indian Express’s Malayalam-language podcast ‘Varthamanam’, which is set to launch on Wednesday, Mr. Tharoor also pointed out the absence of a strong Congress leader in Kerala. A teaser of the podcast has already been released, stirring conversations about his position within the party.
Tharoor’s Stand: I Have Options Beyond Politics
Having won four consecutive elections from Kerala, Mr. Tharoor has now found himself in the crosshairs of his own party. His praise for the CPM-led state government’s policies and Kerala’s overall growth has not gone down well with Congress leaders. Similarly, his previous remarks appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic meeting with former US President Donald Trump had sparked controversy.
Defending his stance, Tharoor clarified that his statements were based on facts, not party lines, and that people had supported his right to express himself. “If the party wants me, I will always be there for Congress. But if not, I have my own pursuits. I am not someone who lacks ways to spend my time. I have options—my books, speeches, and global invitations for lectures,” he asserted.
Congress Needs to Expand in Kerala, Says Tharoor
While the 2024 national elections saw Congress rebounding on a larger scale, the same enthusiasm did not translate to Kerala. Tharoor warned that if Congress fails to widen its reach, it could end up in the opposition for a third consecutive term.
“The Congress cannot win elections just by relying on its traditional vote bank,” he emphasized. “At the national level, our vote share was around 19%. That alone is not enough to come to power. We need at least 26-27% additional votes, which means we must attract those who have not supported us in the last two elections.”
He further claimed that his ability to connect with a wider audience, including those who traditionally do not support Congress, has been a crucial factor in his electoral success. “I returned to India to serve my country. I was doing well in the US, earning a substantial income, but I chose to be here,” he added.
The Tharoor Controversy: What Led to the Rift?
Mr. Tharoor recently made headlines after praising the LDF government’s economic policies in a newspaper article. While the Left welcomed his comments, his own party was not as pleased. Though he later clarified that his intention was merely to highlight Kerala’s progress in the startup sector, a regional Congress mouthpiece lashed out at him, accusing him of promoting a “distorted” political practice.
In a strongly worded editorial, the publication criticized him for allegedly weakening the party from within, claiming that the LDF had turned Kerala into a “political graveyard.”
This is not the first time Tharoor has drawn flak for his independent views. His positive remarks on PM Modi’s diplomatic approach with Trump had also triggered backlash. However, Tharoor defended himself by stating that politicians should not always speak purely from a party perspective, but should also consider India’s broader interests.
What’s Next for Tharoor?
As the Congress high command grapples with internal challenges, Tharoor’s comments serve as a reminder that he is not one to toe the party line blindly. His message is clear: he is willing to contribute, but he is not dependent on the party for relevance.
With Congress facing electoral struggles in Kerala, the question now is—will the party embrace Tharoor’s broader appeal or push him further away? Only time will tell.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated live blog and has not been edited by Localtak staff.
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