Congress Is United, We Will Address Needs, Aspirations Of People And Return To Power In Kerala: Tharoor

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shashi Tharoor MP on Monday denied any differences with the party leadership, stating that the Congress is united and will work together strongly for the people of the state over the next three months.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a leadership conclave in Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad, Tharoor said the Congress aims to address the needs and aspirations of the people and return to power in Kerala.

“I have a clear vision for Kerala and what needs to be done. I’ve written four or five articles in national media about the state’s future. We want to stop the migration of qualified youth and retain them here so their full potential can be utilized," he said.

Kerala needs to welcome more investments to create jobs. The state’s finance and health sectors are in crisis, and the Kerala model has turned into a debt model. Debt servicing is consuming more of our budget than development, and we cannot continue like this,” he said.

Tharoor said the birthday greeting to LK Advani was simply a gesture of respect for an elderly person. He said that the media had taken some of his comments and turned them into controversies.

Regarding praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tharoor explained that he was in the audience listening to Modi’s speech and wrote a couple of words, asking people to point out where he had praised Modi. He noted that people often read headlines and jump to conclusions without fully engaging with his statements or writings, which leaves room for misunderstandings.

Tharoor emphasized that he has not deviated from the Congress party line, and even when he shares personal opinions, his stance on core issues remains aligned with the party’s position, as reflected in his parliamentary speeches and questions to ministers.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP said the media often stirs up controversy with misleading headlines. “We’re all united. I have a strong relationship with my party colleagues. I’ve been in this party for 17 years, and there’s no question of any misunderstanding. I contested the leadership elections, and that’s over. Many people in the past have contested organizational elections—some won, some lost.”

Tharoor explained that many in the party are eligible to become Chief Minister, and the decision will be made in consultation after the elections. MPs can contest if they wish, though the party may set conditions.

He added that he will actively participate in the election campaign.