Amid speculations of tension between Congress and Shashi Tharoor and controversy following his praise for the central government, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi clarified on Sunday that all party leaders in Kerala stand united and are working together.
On February 28, after a meeting with the party's top leadership in Delhi, Rahul Gandhi posted a photograph of a Kerala Congress leaders' press conference on Facebook, stating 'We are united'.
During the meeting, strategies for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections were also discussed. The Congress leadership issued a stern warning that any deviations from the party line would lead to strict disciplinary actions.
Present at the meeting were Shashi Tharoor, Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, General Secretary KC Venugopal, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, Kerala Congress President K. Sudhakaran, the leader of the Congress Legislative Party in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan, and party in-charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunshi.
According to sources, in the nearly three-hour-long meeting, Rahul Gandhi emphasized that all leaders must be extremely cautious regarding political strategies and refrain from making statements that contravene the party line.
This meeting was convened following Shashi Tharoor's praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his comment about having 'alternative options' if Congress did not require his services.
Recently, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor praised the Pinarayi Vijayan government's policies in Kerala on 'Ease of Doing Business' and simplifying government procedures, which displeased the Congress leadership. Tharoor had also welcomed Prime Minister Modi's Washington visit and meeting with US President Donald Trump, which met with strong reactions from Congress.
Amid speculation about Tharoor being sidelined in the party, Rahul Gandhi held a closed-door meeting with him in Delhi about a week ago. However, Shashi Tharoor has dismissed rumors of leaving Congress. Meanwhile, CPI(M) has indicated they would welcome Tharoor if he decides to leave Congress. Senior CPI(M) leader Thomas Isaac stated that Tharoor would not be left orphaned in Kerala politics if he decides to leave Congress.
Isaac mentioned that if Tharoor clarifies his position, there would be no difficulty for CPI(M) to accept him. Our party has welcomed several Congress leaders before. It is nothing short of a miracle that Tharoor has remained with Congress so far.
Additionally, discussions were held about the friction resulting from Tharoor's positive remarks about the prime minister and state government. Tharoor's diplomatic approach, although well-intended in fostering strategic alliances, sometimes leads to misunderstandings within the party ranks. The central leadership urged Tharoor to remain aligned with the party's overarching objectives, recognizing the importance of diverse but coherent political narratives.
Rahul Gandhi emphasized the value of diverse opinions while maintaining a unified stance on core party values. The party's focus, he insisted, should be on addressing pressing issues such as economic inequality, unemployment, and the strengthening of democratic institutions in India. By fostering an environment where constructive criticism is seen as a catalyst for growth, Gandhi aims to harness the collective intellect of the party's senior leadership.
The Kerala Assembly elections represent a pivotal moment for Congress, a chance to affirm its commitment to progressive policies that resonate with the state's diverse electorate. Gandhi's message of unity, peppered with caution against external influences, underscores the party's resolve to emerge victorious amid the evolving political landscape.
2018:
Tharoor lauds Modi's leadership, stirring party objection but pledges loyalty to Congress.
2020:
Tharoor aligns with state initiatives, amplifying his inclusive political ethos.
2024:
As elections loom, Tharoor's stance will be crucial in shaping the party's strategy.
