Tharoor's remarks criticising the party's Kerala unit leadership and hinting at having options beyond the party earlier this week, reportedly caused internal discord within the Congress Kerala unit.
Published Feb 26, 2025 | 7:39 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 26, 2025 | 7:39 PM
Shashi Tharoor (X)
Synopsis: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has expressed confusion over the controversy surrounding his recent podcast remarks, in which he criticised the party’s Kerala unit leadership and hinted at having options beyond the party. Tharoor’s comments reportedly sparked internal rift within the party, leading to speculation about a potential leadership change and a crucial party meeting scheduled for Friday.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday, 26 February, expressed confusion over the controversy surrounding his comments in a recent podcast, stating that he still does not understand what triggered the furore.
Earlier this week, a teaser for an Indian Express podcast featuring Tharoor’s remarks criticising the party’s Kerala unit leadership and hinting at having options beyond the party reportedly caused internal rift within the Congress Kerala unit.
“You all heard the podcast, what was the controversy about?… I still haven’t understood this controversy frankly… now you have heard the whole podcast, can you tell me what your question is, I am happy to respond,” the four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram told ANI.
“But I haven’t said anything that is particularly… it is a podcast, a 45-minute conversation about life and the pursuits of happiness, nothing there very much about any political controversy.”
Amid speculation that his remarks unsettled sections of the Congress leadership, sources indicate that the party high command has convened a meeting to address multiple issues, including a potential change in the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership.
“There’s a meeting the party has called on Friday, I will be there with everyone else,” Tharoor confirmed.
In the IE podcast, Tharoor took an indirect dig at the leadership of Kerala’s Congress unit. “Several workers feel there is an absence of a leader in Kerala’s Congress,” he said while reaffirming his commitment to the party.
However, his comments about options beyond the party raised eyebrows. “You should not assume that I have no other options. I have my books, speeches, and invitations from across the world to deliver talks,” he stated.
Sources close to the party indicate that Friday’s meeting will likely include discussions on replacing KPCC president K Sudhakaran, who may be relieved from his post due to health concerns.
With local body and Assembly elections approaching, the party leadership is reportedly seeking consensus on a leader who can spearhead the campaign effectively.
Sudhakaran, who previously defended Tharoor in past disputes, distanced himself from the MP’s approach. “Tharoor is of a higher stature than me. I am not the right person to respond to his statements,” he remarked. “One should not exceed party discipline. Let Tharoor correct himself.”
He acknowledged criticism of leadership deficiencies but suggested such matters should be addressed internally rather than through media channels. “If there is an opinion that the KPCC president is not good enough, I will strive to improve,” Sudhakaran added.
Meanwhile, AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal emphasised that, unlike other parties, Congress allows freedom of expression and considers constructive opinions.
Tharoor’s remarks came just weeks after he faced criticism from his party over a newspaper column in which he praised the state’s industrial performance. Party colleagues widely viewed this as an indirect endorsement of the ruling CPI(M).
The situation prompted Tharoor to hold closed-door meetings with senior party leaders Mallikarjuna Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in Delhi.
Meanwhile, Senior Congress Kerala leader Ramesh Chennithala later clarified that Tharoor’s podcast remarks were made before his meeting with Rahul Gandhi, countering media reports suggesting dissatisfaction with their discussion.
He highlighted Tharoor’s significant contributions to the party, including his decade-long presence in the Congress Working Committee.
Meanwhile, speculation about Tharoor’s political future intensified on Tuesday when he posted a selfie on social media with Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and the UK’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds. In a post on X, Tharoor wrote:
“Good to exchange words with Jonathan Reynolds, Britain’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in the company of his Indian counterpart, Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The long-stalled FTA negotiations have been revived, which is most welcome.”
Good to exchange words with Jonathan Reynolds, Britain’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in the company of his Indian counterpart, Commerce & Industry Minister @PiyushGoyal. The long-stalled FTA negotiations have been revived, which is most welcome pic.twitter.com/VmCxEOkzc2
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 25, 2025
The post sparked speculation that the ‘options’ Tharoor hinted at could involve the BJP.
However, in the IE podcast, Tharoor had explicitly dismissed the possibility of joining the BJP, citing fundamental ideological differences with the ruling party that would make such a transition improbable.
Speculation continues that the controversies could be a strategic move from Tharoor to enhance his position within the party in Kerala.
(Edited by Dese Gowda with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
