Tharoor's Praise for PM Modi and Kerala Provokes Satheesan
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a recent controversy, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's supportive remarks about PM Modi and the Kerala government have drawn ire from party colleagues, especially Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who suggests Tharoor is straying from party ideology.
Key Takeaways
- Shashi Tharoor's remarks on Kerala government spark criticism.
- V.D. Satheesan accuses Tharoor of drifting from party lines.
- Tharoor praises the Pinarayi Vijayan government and Modi-Trump meeting.
- Satheesan questions the validity of Tharoor's MSME growth figures.
- Tharoor's lack of support from state Congress leaders is notable.
Kochi, Feb 15 (NationPress) Thiruvananthapuram Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's recent remarks have drawn more backlash from his party members than from other political figures. On Saturday, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V.D. Satheesan, suggested that Tharoor is straying from the party's stance.
Satheesan was forthright in sharing his and the state Congress faction's dissatisfaction with Shashi Tharoor. On Friday, Tharoor made a 'double strike' -- first, in an article featured in a prominent English newspaper, he commended the initiatives of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government. Later, in Bengaluru, he informed the press that the assembly between US President Donald Trump and Indian PM Narendra Modi was promising.
Satheesan dismissed the Trump-Modi discussion, asserting, "I don’t think any positive outcome has emerged from the Trump-Modi meeting whatsoever."
When queried about Tharoor's endorsement of the Vijayan administration, Satheesan said, "I am unsure where Tharoor derived these statistics regarding the growth of MSMEs in Kerala. Numerous members of the Kerala diaspora returning from abroad establish shops, bakeries, and small enterprises, but how can such businesses be included in the MSME statistics?"
"Let the party leadership address these matters," added Satheesan.
In his article, Tharoor noted that Kerala has introduced a new industrial policy aimed at knowledge-driven sectors, including AI, blockchain technology, and machine learning. Under the state's "Year of Enterprises" campaign, more than 290,000 MSMEs have been created, with considerable investments and backing for women and transgender entrepreneurs.
"I had previously been forced to remark that 'God’s own country' was the devil’s own playground for commerce. If that is no longer the case, we all have cause to rejoice," wrote Tharoor.
Tharoor's lack of backing from state Congress leaders was apparent when he opted to run for the role of Congress president. Following his defeat, his inclusion in the CWC also delivered a significant blow to the anti-Tharoor faction within the party.
