Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 24: Shashi Tharoor, the diplomat-turned-politician, has made it clear that his political future isn’t solely tied to the Congress. Amid controversy over his recent praises for Kerala’s Left-led government, the veteran MP has sent a firm message to the party leadership—if Congress doesn’t need him, he has plenty of other avenues to pursue.
Tharoor also highlighted the absence of a strong Congress figure in Kerala while speaking on Wednesday.
Having secured four consecutive electoral victories in Kerala, Tharoor’s positive remarks about the CPM-led government’s policies and development agenda have irked Congress loyalists. His past praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with former US President Donald Trump had also drawn sharp criticism from within the party.
Defending his statements on the podcast, Tharoor insisted that his comments on Kerala’s progress reflect his right to express himself. "If the party wants me, I’m here. If not, I have other things to do. Don’t assume I have no alternatives. I have my books, my speeches, and invitations from around the world to speak," he stated.
While the Congress made a strong comeback in the 2024 general elections, its performance in Kerala remained stagnant. Tharoor warned that without broadening its appeal, Congress risks remaining in the opposition for a third consecutive term in the state. "The party cannot win elections just by relying on its core vote bank. Nationally, Congress secured around 19% of the vote. To return to power, we need an additional 7-8%. We must attract voters who haven’t supported us in the last two elections," he emphasized.
He further noted that his unique approach has helped him gain votes even from Congress skeptics. "I returned to India to serve the nation. I was thriving in the US, earning well, but I chose public service," he remarked.
Tharoor’s recent article lauding the Left government’s handling of Kerala’s economy sparked an internal stir within the Congress. While the Left welcomed his comments, his own party viewed them as a betrayal. Though he later clarified that his remarks were focused on Kerala’s startup sector, a Congress-affiliated regional publication accused him of promoting a "distorted" political narrative. In a scathing editorial, it even claimed the LDF had turned Kerala into a "graveyard" and warned against weakening Congress from within.
Adding fuel to the fire, Tharoor’s past comments praising Modi’s diplomacy with Trump resurfaced. He defended himself by arguing that leaders should sometimes prioritize national interests over party lines.
As Tharoor continues to carve out his own political identity, his latest remarks pose a crucial question—will Congress embrace his independent streak, or will he be forced to chart his own course?