Shashi Tharoor Keeps 'Options' Open Amid Buzz Of Rift With Congress In Kerala—Here's What Has Happened So Far

Amid speculations about a rift between the Thiruvananthapuram Member of Parliament (MP), Shashi Tharoor and his Congress party, a video clip of the leader is out where he says that he has other options if the party does not want him, NDTV reported.

In the preview of 'Varthamanam', The Indian Express' Malayalam-language podcast, scheduled to launch on Wednesday, Tharoor can be seen communicating that he has other pursuits to engage in if his services are not required by the Congress.

This comes amidst a controversy surrounding his commendations for the opposition Left government in an article on the changed industrial climate in Kerala. He also highlighted the lack of a Congress leader in Kerala.

Tharoor, a four-time MP, has ruffled feathers within his party by commending the CPM's strategies in Kerala and the state's development. His accolades for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with US President Donald Trump have also sparked controversy.

In defending his comments, he stated on the podcast that the public has upheld his freedom to voice his opinions on the state's progress.

"If the party wants me then I will be there for the party. If not, I have my own things to do. You should not think that I don't have any option to spend time. I have options. I have my books, speeches, invitations from across the world for talks," he said.

In the 2024 national elections, Congress experienced a revival, however, this was not mirrored in the subsequent state elections. According to Tharoor, it is essential for Congress to broaden its influence in Kerala, otherwise, it risks being in the opposition for the third consecutive term.

Explaining that the Congress cannot win elections with its existing support base, where it got only 21.19 per cent votes in the Lok Sabha election, he asserted, "Only if we get 26-27 per cent additional, we can come to power. We need those who have not backed us in the last two elections."

Tharoor is a diplomat-turned-politician. Reflecting on his journey, he said, "I came back to this country to serve it. I was doing well in the US and earning a lot of money," and added that he was able to get votes of those opposing the Congress as well due to his way of expressing.

Tharoor, a notable figure of Congress in Kerala, ignited rumors of discord when he commended the LDF government's management of the Kerala economy in a newspaper column. While his comments were well-received by the Left, they incited criticism from his own group.

He explained last week that his intention was only to underscore the state's advancements in the startup sector. However, a regional party publication criticised him for embodying a 'misrepresented' political conduct.

Through a vehemently expressed editorial, the publication claimed that the LDF had transformed Kerala into a "graveyard" and labeled it as "suicidal" to undermine the party internally.

He faced backlash for lauding PM Modi's encounter with Trump, yet he defended his stance by stating that his comments were made considering India's interests. He asserted that politicians should not always express views solely based on party interests.