“We’re on Same Page,” Says Tharoor After Talks With Kharge, Rahul
Shashi Tharoor affirmed alignment with Congress leadership, addressing concerns about his candidacy and emphasizing his role as MP from Thiruvananthapuram.
New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday sought to put to rest speculation about an internal rift within the party after meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi in the national capital. The meeting, held at Kharge’s office in the Parliament complex, came amid reports of unease between the Thiruvananthapuram MP and the party leadership.
Tharoor has recently been at the centre of discussions over his relationship with the Congress high command and state leaders in Kerala, with reports suggesting that he felt sidelined in party affairs. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he described the interaction as constructive and positive, dismissing suggestions of discord. “We had a discussion with my two party leaders, the Leader of the Opposition and the Congress president. It was a very good, constructive and positive discussion. All is good, and we are moving together on the same page,” he said.
Reiterating his commitment to the party, Tharoor said he has consistently campaigned for the Congress. “I have always campaigned for the party. Where have I not campaigned?” he remarked.
Responding to questions on whether the issue of projecting him as a Chief Ministerial candidate in Kerala was discussed, Tharoor firmly denied it. “No, that was never discussed. I am not interested in being a candidate for anything. I am already an MP and have the trust of my voters from Thiruvananthapuram. My responsibility is to represent them in Parliament,” he said.
Later, Tharoor took to X to thank Kharge and Gandhi for what he termed a “warm and constructive discussion,” sharing a photograph from the meeting.
The interaction followed Tharoor’s recent remarks acknowledging that he had certain “issues” within the party that he intended to raise with the leadership. Speaking in Kozhikode last week, he clarified that despite his concerns, he has never deviated from the Congress party’s official stand in Parliament.
Speculation about differences had intensified after Tharoor skipped a key party meeting in Delhi earlier this week, citing a prior commitment at the Kerala Literature Festival. He had also missed a Kerala strategy meeting in the capital days earlier, fuelling rumours of tension with the leadership.
According to reports, the buzz grew further after Gandhi, during a party event in Kochi on January 19, acknowledged several senior leaders on the dais but did not mention Tharoor by name, despite his presence on stage.
