NEW DELHI: Amid ongoing speculation about his rift with the Congress party, Thiruvananthapuram MP and senior leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday morning shared a photo on social media with Union minister and senior BJP leader Piyush Goyal, further fuelling rumours about his political future.
The picture, which also featured British secretary of state for trade Jonathan Reynolds, was posted after discussions on the India-UK trade deal, intensifying buzz over Tharoor’s standing within the Congress.
In the photo, Tharoor is seen smiling alongside Goyal, who is also beaming, and Reynolds.
Sharing the image, Tharoor wrote, “Good to exchange words with Jonathan Reynolds, Britain’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in the company of his Indian counterpart, Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal. The long-stalled FTA negotiations have been revived, which is most welcome.”
Tharoor’s post comes amid reports of his dissatisfaction within the Congress, particularly after he urged Rahul Gandhi to clearly define his role in the party.
Sources suggest Tharoor is unhappy with the internal discussions as Gandhi was reportedly non-committal. His stance on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States and his praise for the LDF-led Kerala government have also reportedly irked the Congress leadership.
In October 2022, former UN diplomat-turned-politician Shashi Tharoor surprised many within the Congress by announcing his candidacy for the party’s presidential election, challenging Mallikarjun Kharge, the favored choice of the Gandhi family. Despite facing significant odds and receiving minimal support from within the party, Tharoor secured 1,072 votes, while Kharge won decisively with 7,897 votes.
Tharoor’s move was seen as bold, given his association with the G-23 group of Congress leaders who had demanded internal reforms.
Tharoor, known for his outspoken style, has represented the Thiruvananthapuram seat in the Lok Sabha for four consecutive terms.
As rumours about his political future continue to grow, Tharoor posted a cryptic message a couple of days ago, on social media, saying, “It is a folly to be wise,” seen by many as a veiled dig at the Congress leadership.