‘The pen is mightier than the sword’ is an adage the Thiruvananthapuram MP repeats often. His pen has now landed him in a mess.
Published Feb 21, 2025 | 8:45 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 21, 2025 | 8:45 AM
Shashi Tharoor MP with Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi.
Synopsis: A newspaper article praising the achievements of the CPI(M) state government in Kerala caught Opposition leaders in the state in surprise; senior leaders question the data cited in the article and advise MP to check for empirical evidence.
On 14 February 2025, Congress leaders in Kerala were rattled by an article from Shashi Tharoor, MP, in The New Indian Express. Praising the Kerala government’s industrial and startup policies, Tharoor noted the state’s impressive 254% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the startup sector (July 2021-December 2023), far above the global average of 46%.
He also cited Industries Minister P. Rajeeve’s claim that businesses could now open in Kerala within “two minutes”, highlighting the state’s rise in the “ease of doing business” rankings; these rankings, instituted by the World Bank, were abandoned in 2021 after a report showed how they were manipulated.
The article triggered swift reactions: Rajeeve thanked Tharoor, and CPI(M) leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, welcomed the praise.
However, Congress leaders, including Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan, criticised Tharoor for seemingly endorsing the Left government.
The controversy boosted interest in the “Invest Kerala Global Summit” (February 21-22).
Meanwhile, a video of Tharoor praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit added fuel to the fire, earning BJP support but further unsettling Congress.
Tharoor’s words, once again, stirred more than intellectual debate.
Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan dismissed Tharoor’s assessment, claiming Kerala lacks an industry-friendly environment. He disputed the government’s claim of three lakh new enterprises.
Satheesan accused the Kerala government of inflating industrial growth figures, comparing their assertions to public relations antics that the state government allegedly engaged in during the Covid-19 pandemic. Satheesan questioned the validity of MSME registrations.
He pointed out that GST registrations had not significantly increased and that retail and wholesale trades were misleadingly counted as MSMEs.
Senior Congress leader K. Muraleedharan echoed this sentiment, asserting that Tharoor’s views did not reflect the party’s official stance. Muraleedharan also demanded that the party’s national leadership take up this issue.
M.M. Hassan, another senior Congress figure, remarked that Tharoor might have reached a different conclusion had he consulted a few entrepreneurs before writing the piece.
Faced with this backlash from his own party, Tharoor took to Facebook to clarify. He said the article was meant to highlight the positive shifts in the CPI(M)’s industrial policies, while acknowledging the significant contributions of past Congress governments.
He noted that Kerala’s first Global Investors Meet took place under A.K. Antony’s leadership and that the Oommen Chandy administration had made considerable industrial progress.
Tharoor cited the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report, emphasising Kerala’s $1.7 billion startup ecosystem and its 254% CAGR growth (2021-2023), which he argued far surpassed the global average of 46%.
Leaders from the Left, including A.K. Balan, E.P. Jayarajan, and Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal, praised Tharoor’s observations.
Indian Union Muslim League senior leader P.K. Kunhalikutty also highlighted Kerala’s achievements, emphasising progress in various sectors.
In contrast, Satheesan sought to downplay the controversy, turning his criticism toward the LDF, accusing the Left of historically opposing major infrastructure projects like the Vizhinjam Port and seaplanes, only to later claim them as achievements.
He questioned the credibility of the “ease of doing business index” cited by the Kerala government, noting that the index was discontinued in 2021.
Satheesan’s remarks took an even sharper turn as he warned against granting parole to the accused in the Periya case of 2019, involving the murder of two members of the Youth Congress, alleging that CPI(M) leaders feared exposure. He labeled the party “worse than international terrorist organisations.”
MP Shashi Tharoor met Congress party national president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on 18 February.
According to party sources, one meeting occurred at Rahul Gandhi’s residence, with AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal also present.
Tharoor reportedly sought the meeting to clarify his position and prevent the issue from escalating further.
After his discussion with Rahul Gandhi, Tharoor proceeded to Kharge’s residence for a separate meeting. To avoid media attention, he exited through the back gate.
When questioned about the situation, KC Venugopal downplayed any internal discord, stating that there were no problems within the party. He confirmed that Rahul Gandhi had personally invited Tharoor for the meeting, marking the first such incident in recent times where Rahul personally held talks with a leader over controversies.
Amidst this development, Shashi Tharoor has been invited to a Startup Festival organised by the DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI(M) in Thiruvananthapuram on March 12, to be inaugurated by CM Pinarayi Vijayan.
Though Tharoor conveyed his best wishes, he is unlikely to attend “due to prior commitments.”
Party sources say Tharoor is unhappy with how he is treated by both the central and state Congress leadership. The party high command is keeping a close watch on his activities.
The meeting in Delhi between Tharoor and AA Rahim MP, along with other DYFI leaders, has sparked speculation about possible new alliances.
There is also speculation that the BJP is quietly trying to start conversations with Tharoor.
KPCC President K Sudhakaran addressed the media on Wednesday, downplaying the controversy and claiming that the remarks were being turned into a needless controversy. He said the matter is now resolved within the party.
Sudhakaran said a conversation had occurred with Tharoor that was amicable and respectful, it was agreed that such incidents should not recur. He said the party now wishes to move past the issue, and stressed that it was closed.
On 20 February, Satheesan said, “I don’t wish to engage in any dispute. When he wrote in support of the government on a debated issue, I pointed out that his data was inaccurate, and that was later confirmed,” Satheesan stated, adding: “As a member of the Working Committee, Tharoor is beyond our jurisdiction to correct or advise.”
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
