Tharoor Sends Congratulations to New Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Synopsis

On March 24, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor congratulated Rajeev Chandrasekhar for being unanimously elected as the new President of BJP's Kerala unit. The two previously clashed in a tight political race for the 2024 elections, with Tharoor narrowly securing victory amidst rising competition from Chandrasekhar.

Key Takeaways

Shashi Tharoor congratulated Rajeev Chandrasekhar on his election.
Chandrasekhar was a fierce competitor in the 2024 elections.
Tharoor's victory margin decreased significantly from previous elections.
Chandrasekhar is seen as a rising figure in Kerala politics.
His election as BJP President indicates a new direction for the party.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 24 (NationPress) Congress' Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor congratulated former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who has been unanimously appointed as the new President of the BJP's Kerala unit on Monday. "Congratulations and best wishes to the newly elected Kerala State President of the BJP, @RajeevRC_X. Looking forward to crossing swords again!" Tharoor shared on his X handle.

Interestingly, the duo had previously engaged in a heated political contest when Chandrasekhar emerged as a surprising candidate aiming to prevent Tharoor from securing his fourth consecutive term in the upcoming 2024 Parliamentary elections.

Political analysts anticipated an effortless victory for Tharoor, who had triumphed in the 2019 elections with a substantial margin of approximately 99,000 votes. Chandrasekhar was initially labeled an "import," despite his Keralite roots.

Settled in Bengaluru, Chandrasekhar's only connection to Kerala came from his well-known father-in-law, Nambiar, who was instrumental in establishing the highly regarded electronic brand BPL.

As the campaign progressed and Chandrasekhar gained momentum, Tharoor's camp grew increasingly anxious. Ultimately, Tharoor managed to secure his position with a narrower victory, winning by a margin of about 16,000 votes—significantly reduced from his 2019 success.

At certain points, Tharoor was trailing, but the counting of votes from coastal regions turned the tide in his favor, allowing him to surpass Chandrasekhar and clinch the contest.

After a challenging battle, many speculated that Chandrasekhar would run for one of the Assembly seats in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency, where he narrowly defeated Tharoor in the next Assembly elections. However, few anticipated his rapid return to politics as the President of the state unit, given his limited experience with grassroots party workers, which is crucial for energizing the ordinary BJP member.