Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s recent social media post featuring a meeting with Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds regarding the revived India-UK trade deal has stirred speculation about his future in the party. Tharoor, who has faced criticism from Congress for praising the Kerala government’s policies, denied endorsing the Left Front. Tensions escalated when he commented positively on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s negotiation skills. Responding to questions about a rift with Congress, Tharoor stated he would remain if the party wanted him but also hinted at exploring other options.
New Delhi:
On Tuesday morning, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shared a post on X featuring a photograph of himself alongside Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and British Secretary of State for Trade Jonathan Reynolds following a discussion regarding the India-UK trade deal. This has sparked speculation about his future within the party.
In the post, an upbeat Mr. Tharoor – a four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala – is seen standing with a smiling Mr. Goyal and Mr. Reynolds.
“It was a pleasure to converse with Jonathan Reynolds, Britain’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, alongside his Indian counterpart, Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal. The long-delayed FTA negotiations have now been revived, which is very encouraging.”
It was a pleasure to converse with Jonathan Reynolds, Britain’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, alongside his Indian counterpart, Commerce & Industry Minister @PiyushGoyal. The long-delayed FTA negotiations have now been revived, which is very encouraging pic.twitter.com/VmCxEOkzc2
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 25, 2025
This post comes after a reported strain in Mr. Tharoor’s relationship with the Congress party, following his commendation of the policies implemented by Kerala’s ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front government.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front serves as the main opposition party in the state.
In response, the party’s local mouthpiece, Veekshanam Daily, criticized Mr. Tharoor for his praise of the state’s entrepreneurial growth under the Left government, labeling it “suicidal” to weaken the Congress from within while the party critiques the failures of the LDF government.
READ | Congress In Kerala Criticises Shashi Tharoor For Praising Left Govt
This criticism followed an article penned by Mr. Tharoor in an English daily, where he commented favorably on certain aspects of the state’s development. He later clarified that he had not praised the CPM, but merely aimed to highlight Kerala’s advancements in the startup sector.
Mr. Tharoor also faced backlash for his praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after U.S. President Donald Trump described Mr. Modi as a “much tougher negotiator”.
“To hear a man like Donald Trump, whose Defence Secretary labeled him ‘the greatest negotiator in the world’, announce that the Indian Prime Minister is a better negotiator… that certainly adds to Mr. Modi’s credibility,” Mr. Tharoor remarked.
In that context, Mr. Tharoor stated that his comments were made with India’s interests in mind, emphasizing, “We cannot always prioritize only the party’s interest.”
However, the situation has escalated.
When approached by reporters and questioned about his relationship with the Congress party on Sunday, Mr. Tharoor dismissed the speculation regarding a rift. Asked, “Is everything well between you and the party?” he replied with “no comments at all” and shifted the conversation to the India-Pakistan cricket match.
READ | Go Watch India-Pak”: Shashi Tharoor Shrugs Off Congress Rift Question
As the chatter intensified, on Tuesday Mr. Tharoor responded by saying, “If the party wants me… I will be there. If not, I have my own pursuits. Don’t assume I lack options…”
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