Shashi Tharoor Holds Crucial Meeting with Congress Leadership Amidst Speculation of Internal Discord
Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor convened a significant meeting with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday. This high-level discussion, which lasted for approximately thirty minutes, took place at Kharge's office within the Parliament complex. The meeting has garnered considerable attention against the backdrop of emerging reports hinting at potential differences between Tharoor and the party's high command.
Tharoor's Absence from Key AICC Meeting Sparks Controversy
The timing of this meeting is particularly noteworthy as it follows Tharoor's decision to skip an important All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting that was convened to deliberate on preparations for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. Tharoor, however, has clarified that he had informed the party leadership in advance about his inability to attend due to prior commitments. The Congress leader was engaged at the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode, where he was scheduled to speak about his latest literary work, Sree Narayana Guru.
"I had informed the party in advance that I would not be attending the programme," Tharoor stated, emphasizing that any concerns he has are best communicated directly to the party leadership rather than through public platforms. He acknowledged that while some media reports about his absence might contain elements of truth, others may not, and such matters should be resolved internally within the party structure.
Escalating Tensions and Public Perceptions
The situation appears to have been exacerbated by an incident at the Congress party's "Mahapanchayat" event held in Kochi, Kerala, on January 19. Reports indicate that Tharoor felt "deeply insulted" when Rahul Gandhi, upon entering the venue, greeted several other party leaders but did not extend a direct greeting to him, despite Tharoor's presence on stage. The Congress party has officially denied any internal rift, attributing Tharoor's absence from meetings to his prior engagements at the literature festival.
Furthermore, Tharoor's recent public statements have seemingly caused discomfort within certain sections of the party. Some Congress leaders have even accused him of acting as a "super spokesperson" for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This criticism stems from Tharoor's expressions of support for the Narendra Modi government regarding recent military actions, including Operation Sindoor across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Tharoor's Stance and Future Implications
In a statement made on January 24, Tharoor signaled that there are certain "issues" he wishes to discuss with the party leadership. "Whatever issues there are, I would have to discuss them with the party leadership, and I look forward to the opportunity to do so," he remarked, reiterating his preference for private dialogue over public discourse. This approach underscores his commitment to resolving matters within the party framework.
Adding another layer to the narrative, Tharoor recently described his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "good, lively and informal." This interaction occurred when PM Modi met with members of the all-party delegations related to Operation Sindoor at his official residence in New Delhi. Such engagements have fueled further speculation about Tharoor's positioning within the political landscape.
As the Congress party navigates these internal dynamics, the outcome of Tharoor's discussions with Kharge and Gandhi could have significant implications for party unity and strategy, especially with crucial electoral battles on the horizon in Kerala. The leadership's response and Tharoor's subsequent actions will be closely monitored by political observers and party members alike.
