After 'Nair Can't Stand Another Nair' Remark, Is Shashi Tharoor On His Way Out Of The Congress?

In what is being seen as a dig at a section of senior Congress leaders who are reportedly unhappy with him, Thiruvananthapuram MP and Congress leader from Kerala, Shashi Tharoor, said that there is an age old maxim that 'a Nair cannot stand another Nair.'

He made these remarks after inaugurating an event commemorating the birth anniversary of Mannath Padmanabahan, the founder of the Nair Service Society (NSS) at Changanassery in Kottayam.

While the NSS and Tharoor did not enjoy a good relationship earlier, things seem to have changed now and the NSS head Sukumaran Nair said that he would take back his earlier statement calling Tharoor, 'a Delhi Nair'. He added that Tharoor is Kerala's son as well as a global citizen.

Most of the leaders who are unhappy with Tharoor, i.e. KC Venugopal, VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala happen to be Nairs themselves.

KC Venugopal is considered to be close to Rahul Gandhi and is an All India Congress Commiteee (AICC) general secretary. While VD Satheesan is the current Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Kerala Assembly, Ramesh Chennithala is a former LoP.

Since losing the election for the post of Congress president, Tharoor has toured the state extensively, in what political commentators have called an image building exercise in order to stake his claim to become Chief Minister.

Senior Congress leaders had then accused Tharoor of creating a parallel system and dividing the party.

At the time, Tharoor had said 'I do not fear anyone and there is no need for anyone to be afraid of me.' He also denied the accusation of creating a new group within the party.

He went ahead with his tour and matters seemed to have settled down.

However, after the recent remark, it is to be seen whether Tharoor can continue to remain in the Congress, when party-men from his own community are not happy with his rise.

Also Read: Kerala: Tharoor Meets Muslim League's Chief At Latter's Residence; State Congress Leaders Not Impressed