The Congress party in Kerala is taking damage control measures amid a controversy involving senior leader Shashi Tharoor. A meeting of senior leaders is scheduled to address state election strategies, focusing on unity rather than responding to Tharoor’s recent comments praising the CPM’s policies and Kerala’s growth, which have caused internal friction. Party members aim to avoid public disputes ahead of the upcoming assembly election and prioritize opposition against the CPM and BJP. Tharoor has stated he will pursue his interests if the party does not value his contributions, emphasizing his independence and alternatives outside of politics.
New Delhi:
The Congress party in Kerala is back in the spotlight due to its ongoing dispute with senior leader Shashi Tharoor, prompting the need for damage control measures, which will begin with a meeting. Senior party members are slated to gather on Friday. While the main focus of the meeting is the upcoming state election, discussions surrounding Mr. Tharoor and the necessity of presenting a united front are expected to emerge, according to sources.
Insiders have reported that Congress leaders in Kerala have made a deliberate choice to refrain from addressing Mr. Tharoor or his comments.
Speaking out could lead to internal conflict, which the party is keen to avoid ahead of the state assembly elections scheduled for later this year.
Sources emphasize that the party’s primary focus should be on opposing the CPM and its government, as well as the BJP.
Moreover, they indicated that the issue has been put to rest following Mr. Tharoor’s conversation with Rahul Gandhi on February 19. It was noted that the remarks made by Mr. Tharoor during an interview with a newspaper occurred before his meeting with Mr. Gandhi.
Mr. Tharoor, who has served as a Union minister and is a four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram, has irked party members by commending the CPM’s policies in Kerala and the state’s development.
His statements were particularly jarring, coming soon after he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his interactions with US President Donald Trump.
A strongly worded editorial from a regional party publication described such actions as “suicidal” for undermining the party from within, accusing him of embodying a ‘distorted’ political approach.
In response, Mr. Tharoor clarified last week that he was simply emphasizing the state’s achievements in the startup ecosystem.
Being straightforward, he asserted that he would follow his own path if the party was not interested in his contributions.
“If the party wants me, then I will support the party. If not, I have my own pursuits. Don’t assume that I lack options to fill my time. I have several, including my books, speeches, and invitations to speak worldwide,” he stated.