Shashi Tharoor had become a part of BJP’s communal agenda: KPCC General Secretary M Liju

Thiruvananthapuram: One of the first leaders to criticise Mr Tharoor was KPCC general secretary M. Liju who alleged that by praising Mr Modi, Mr Tharoor had become a part of BJP’s communal agenda and said the issue would be brought to the notice of the KPCC and the AICC.

“Tharoor should understand the politics of Modi. These kinds of programmes are being launched to cover up the Hindutva agenda of the BJP. It was surprising that Tharoor glossed over the ‘political gimmicks’ of BJP,” said Mr Liju in Alappuzha.

But top KPCC leaders told DC that the AICC had taken stock of the situation and expressed its displeasure. Several Kerala leaders, including Mr Sudheeran, KPCC vice-president M. M. Hassan, general secretary Sooranad Rajasekharan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, also publicly commented against Mr Tharoor’s move.

Mr Sudheeran told reporters in Kasargod that Mr Tharoor should remember that he became a member of Parliament because of the help of loyal Congress voters.

Mr Hassan, however, took a dig at Mr Modi saying a leader like him belonging to Gujarat, who did not even know how to pronounce the name of Gandhiji, was talking about Gandhian ideals.

“Congress leaders have strong sentiments against Mr Tharoor for eulogising Modi. Tharoor should stop praising Modi. Once the PCC chief is back in the capital city, we will decide what action should be taken against him. The KPCC has every right to take action as he represents Thiruvananthapuram Parliament constituency,” Mr Hassan told DC.