Shashi Tharoor to Skip Congress Meeting in Delhi After Alleged Snub at Party Platform

Ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, signs of growing discord between senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and the party high command have become increasingly visible. Hurt by what is being described as a public snub at a recent party event in Kochi, the Thiruvananthapuram MP has decided not to attend a key Congress meeting in Delhi convened to discuss election preparations.

According to party sources, Tharoor will not be present at the January 23 meeting called by the Congress leadership to chalk out strategy for the Kerala polls. While he has not made any official statement on the matter, his close associates say the decision stems from resentment over his alleged humiliation during the Congress ‘Mahapanchayat’ event in Kochi, which was attended by Rahul Gandhi.

Change in Protocol Triggered Discontent

Sources reveal that prior to the Kochi event, a speaking order had been finalized keeping seniority in mind. As per the plan, only Rahul Gandhi was to address the gathering after Shashi Tharoor’s speech. However, during the event, several other speakers were allowed to speak after Tharoor, deviating from the agreed protocol. Although Rahul Gandhi spoke at the end, he did not mention Tharoor’s name from the stage, a move that reportedly deepened the MP’s sense of being sidelined.

There are also claims that Tharoor’s seating arrangement at the event did not reflect his seniority within the party. This sequence of events has been cited by his supporters as the reason behind his decision to distance himself from party meetings related to the Kerala elections.

Engagements Outside Party Meetings

Instead of attending the Delhi meeting, Tharoor is expected to participate in the Kerala Literature Festival being held in Kozhikode. Party insiders say he is currently unhappy with both the state and central leadership, feeling that his contributions are being consistently overlooked.

Praise for Modi Government Adds to Tensions

Shashi Tharoor’s relationship with the Congress leadership has reportedly been strained further due to his remarks perceived as appreciative of the Narendra Modi-led central government, particularly on issues related to foreign policy and national security. The unease reportedly began after the Pahalgam terror attack, when Tharoor publicly dismissed allegations of intelligence failure by the Centre.

Later, his selection as part of a parliamentary delegation sent abroad after ‘Operation Sindoor’ drew criticism within the Congress. On several occasions, Tharoor has been seen praising the government’s stance on international affairs, bringing him under direct attack from party leaders such as Udit Raj and Jairam Ramesh.

Most recently, a photograph shared by Tharoor with cricketer Gautam Gambhir, interpreted by some as an indirect praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, added fuel to the controversy.

Possible Marginalisation Ahead of Elections

According to sources, several senior Kerala Congress leaders have convinced the party high command to keep Tharoor away from the core decision-making process for the upcoming Assembly elections. After learning about these developments, Tharoor is said to have voluntarily chosen to stay away from Congress meetings.

The unfolding situation highlights internal challenges for the Congress in Kerala at a crucial political juncture, raising questions about unity and leadership coordination as the state heads toward Assembly elections.