THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Four-time Congress MP Shashi Tharoor appears to be growing increasingly disillusioned with the party, following what he perceives as a continued sidelining by the high command. His recent public criticism of a leadership vacuum in Kerala Congress and a meeting with Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi to discuss his role in the party have fuelled speculation about his future within the organisation.
However, Congress functionaries in Kerala maintained that Tharoor will not quit the party. “I don’t believe Tharoor will leave the party or join CPM,” KPCC president K Sudhakaran said Sunday. Tharoor has staked a claim for chief ministership if Congress is voted to office in Kerala assembly elections next year. He has asserted that several surveys rank him as the most acceptable functionary among Congress stalwarts in state, signalling his reluctance to remain a passive MP & CWC member.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP‘s remarks have put the party’s state brass in an uncomfortable position. Sudhakaran, who had supported Tharoor, has cautioned him against crossing party lines. “Responding through the media was not the right approach for Tharoor. He has time to rectify the mistakes he made. It was most unfortunate that he has made comments against the interest of the party through media. One should not cross the boundaries,” Sudhakaran said.
CWC member Ramesh Chennithala defended the party’s treatment of Tharoor, pointing out that he had been given multiple opportunities. “Congress needs Tharoor and that was the reason why he was made MP four times and a central minister once. He was also given important positions in the party’s supreme bodies,” he said.
Chennithala recalled how he had invited Tharoor to join Congress when he returned from UN and encouraged him to contest from Palakkad LS constituency. He said Tharoor was given recognition within the party, including invitation to a KPCC general body meeting even when he was not a member.
Congress’ K Muraleedharan dismissed Tharoor’s claims of a leadership vacuum in Kerala. “His services should be utilised at the national level, especially to woo youngsters to the party. In Kerala, ordinary functionaries like us are there to work for the party,” he said.
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