Shashi Tharoor, the articulate Congress parliamentarian from Thiruvananthapuram, ended days of speculation Saturday by explaining his decision to skip a key high command meeting in Delhi. From Kozhikode, where he was promoting his latest book, Tharoor stressed that his absence carried no political weight and that he had pre-informed party bosses about his unavailability.
Friday’s session, led by central leadership, delved into Kerala assembly election blueprints. Tharoor’s decision not to attend ignited a media frenzy, with outlets speculating on rifts stemming from a Kochi meeting where Rahul Gandhi was present. Whispers of Tharoor’s frustration over perceived slights quickly escalated into broader tales of Kerala unit infighting.
Cutting through the noise, Tharoor told journalists, ‘I’ve conveyed everything to the leadership privately. Public forums aren’t for internal matters.’ He detailed his itinerary clash: a literary event in Kozhikode for his new release, which he prioritized after missing Jaipur’s lit fest previously due to party work. Travel logistics from Kozhikode to Delhi and back proved impossible given his timetable.
Tharoor sidestepped questions on party dissatisfaction, instead critiquing the media’s tendency to amplify unverified stories. ‘Not every report deserves credence,’ he noted.
Ramesh Chennithala, a veteran Kerala Congressman, backed Tharoor, calling him ‘not just a politician but a literary stalwart whose schedule reflects that.’ This endorsement highlights the party’s effort to project cohesion.
With elections looming, Tharoor’s forthright response seeks to douse fires of division. It also spotlights the tightrope politicians like him walk between legislative duties and intellectual engagements, a narrative that resonates beyond party lines. As discussions continue, Tharoor’s words may pave the way for smoother internal dynamics.