Congress Reaffirms Unity Following Tharoor Remarks Amid Kerala Controversy

The Congress party in Kerala has clarified its unity amid controversy over MP Shashi Tharoor’s comments regarding the CPI(M)-led government. Following a lengthy meeting, leaders including Deepa Dasmunshi expressed solidarity and a commitment to contest elections against local LDF and BJP fronts. Tharoor defended his remarks amid media scrutiny, highlighting the achievements of previous Congress-led initiatives in Kerala.

No Rift: Congress Addresses Shashi Tharoor Controversy Following Kerala Meeting
New Delhi:
In light of the recent tensions regarding Thiruvanathapuram MP Shashi Tharoor’s positive remarks about the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, the state Congress unit has dismissed speculation of a rift, affirming its unity. This declaration was made by Deepa Dasmunshi, Congress’ Kerala in-charge, during a press conference held alongside Mr. Tharoor after an extensive meeting of party leaders ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections next year.
The meeting followed Mr. Tharoor’s critical response to media interpretations regarding his comments about having multiple “options to spend my time,” which were misconstrued as suggesting political affiliations outside the Congress party. Ms. Dasmunshi clarified, “What Shashi Tharoor ji has clarified has been done in a very straight manner and there is no confusion on that.
In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of party cohesion, stating, “There is no one in the Kerala unit of the party who is pro-Left Democratic Front (LDF) or pro-BJP. Everyone is fighting against (them) and fighting unitedly.” Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala echoed this sentiment, asserting the party’s joint commitment to contesting the next elections, aiming to form a Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala.
The brainstorming session lasted nearly three hours and included prominent Congress figures such as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. In a subsequent post on X, Mr. Kharge illustrated the party’s commitment to bringing development to Kerala and expressed confidence in defeating both “oppressive and communal” forces in the state. “Change is inevitable in Kerala,” he asserted.
The controversy over Mr. Tharoor intensified earlier this month when he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit and suggested positive outcomes for Indians. He also wrote an article highlighting the accomplishments of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government, drawing mixed reactions within the Congress party but supportive acknowledgment from Chief Minister Vijayan.
Mr. Tharoor defended his statements by stating, “I cannot ‘always’ speak in terms of party interest.” He also highlighted the Kerala startup sector’s growth as a focus of his article, crediting the foundational work initiated by former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

The Congress party’s recent meeting reaffirmed its unity amidst the controversy surrounding Shashi Tharoor’s comments. Both party leaders and Mr. Tharoor underscored their commitment to addressing the issues in Kerala and maintaining party cohesion against rival political fronts. Key figures expressed optimism about the potential success of the Congress-led United Democratic Front in the upcoming elections.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com