Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 26 (NationPress) There is seldom a mundane moment with Shashi Tharoor at the center of attention. His political journey is as captivating as the articulate MP from Thiruvananthapuram. Currently, the Congress party appears to be on edge as rumors swirl about Tharoor being courted by the Left in Kerala.

Now serving his fourth consecutive term, Tharoor has managed to stay above controversies that might tarnish his electoral prospects, even when personal hardships and constant scrutiny loomed large ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

He emerged from that episode unscathed, maintaining a position in the Congress characterized more by intellectual brilliance than political maneuvering.

However, this reputation is facing new challenges. For several weeks, Tharoor has been in the spotlight for reasons that have created unease within the Congress.

His apparent camaraderie with Prime Minister Narendra Modi—sometimes generous, sometimes awkward for party members—has sparked discussions about whether he might follow the path of several North Indian Congress leaders who have shifted allegiance to the BJP.

These murmurs have now evolved into another wave of speculation.

In the past two days, political circles in Kerala have been abuzz with reports that Tharoor traveled to Dubai for discussions with a businessman linked to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The potential that the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front is trying to recruit Tharoor has added a new layer of volatility to the state’s political landscape.

Unverified yet persistent claims suggest that Vijayan is prepared to offer Tharoor political backing that could significantly undermine the Congress in Kerala.

The speculation escalates further.

Reports in political circles indicate that the Left may be willing to present him with as many as 15 Assembly seats to establish a party that could challenge the longstanding presence of the Congress, along with ongoing support for Tharoor’s candidacy from Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha if he departs from the Congress.

While there has been no official confirmation, the extent of this speculation has shaken the Congress ranks.

Left Democratic Front convener T.P. Ramakrishnan did not refute discussions about Tharoor potentially joining the CPI(M), stating anyone aligned with Left ideology is welcome.

The pressing question now is whether Tharoor, who reportedly faced a snub from Rahul Gandhi at the recent Mahapanchayat in Kochi, where he was denied a handshake and not even acknowledged by name, will reach out to the Left.

The unexpected maneuver from the CPI(M) is perceived as an effort to entice Tharoor, leveraging his sense of humiliation from the incident with Rahul Gandhi.

As this political storm brews, the Congress leadership appears to be acting quickly to mitigate any fallout.

Reports suggest that Rahul Gandhi and his sister, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are set to personally connect with Tharoor.

This outreach aims to address his grievances, reaffirm his significance within the party, and provide the respect and political space his stature warrants.

All attention now turns to Tharoor’s next decision—especially regarding his attendance at crucial Congress leadership meetings set for Tuesday and Wednesday, which are intended to outline strategies for the upcoming Assembly elections.

His absence from a similar meeting last week has only deepened the intrigue, transforming speculation into a gripping political drama that now hinges on whether dialogue can supersede theatrics.