Why is the Congress in Kerala Silent About Tharoor?

Thiruvananthapuram, May 17 (NationPress) The Congress party in Kerala is typically characterized by loud internal disagreements and public grievances. However, there is a notable quietness surrounding one individual -- the articulate and English-speaking Shashi Tharoor, a four-time Lok Sabha MP representing Thiruvananthapuram.

In response to his appointment to lead an Indian parliamentary delegation, Tharoor expressed his acceptance of the government’s request, deeming it an honor.

“If the nation requires my services, I am available,” Tharoor stated. “The Minister (Kiren Rijiju) informed me that the nation and the government need me, and I assured him that I am prepared to support the nation.”

He further emphasized, “Politics only thrives if the nation exists. We must champion national unity.”

When asked about his party's stance, Tharoor remarked, “The Minister mentioned that they are consulting all political parties. There’s no need to inquire about my party's position.”

“When national interest is at stake, and my services are called for, I will not hesitate,” he asserted.

Since his unexpected candidacy in 2009, Tharoor has seldom received backing from the Congress old guard in Kerala. Nevertheless, he remains a prominent figure from the state, as demonstrated again with his inclusion in the multi-party MP delegations aimed at promoting India’s anti-terrorism message abroad.

It has raised eyebrows that his name was absent from the list submitted by the Congress party -- a detail that the BJP quickly exploited. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, accused Rahul Gandhi of feeling “insecure” and “jealous” for not including the “eloquent” Tharoor in the delegations.

A political analyst, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that Tharoor has more critics than supporters within the Congress party in Kerala.

“He does not fit the mold of a typical Congress leader who relies on the high command for support. When he ran in 2009 as an outsider, he won by nearly a lakh votes -- not due to party machinery, but because he garnered support from apolitical voters and a significant number of women,” the analyst noted.

However, his political journey has had its challenges. In 2014, following the suspicious death of his wife shortly before the Lok Sabha elections, Tharoor barely managed to win with a margin of about 15,000 votes -- a decline attributed to reduced support from women voters.

In 2019, he rebounded with another near-lakh majority. Yet, in 2024, facing off against BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar, he again had a narrow victory, winning by just around 15,000 votes.

Even when he contested against the party’s official nominee, Mallikarjun Kharge, in the Congress presidential elections, there was no public backlash. However, several senior leaders expressed their discontent privately.

Now, with Tharoor subtly indicating that he does not require the party’s approval to serve the nation, the pressing question remains whether the Congress in Kerala will finally break its silence and respond, or once again opt to look away.