NEW DELHI: When the Left bloc stunned Congress by bucking Kerala’s “revolving door” politics to return to office in the state in 2021, Congress overhauled the state unit with factionally unaffiliated faces, and announced it was designed to end the notoriously entrenched factionalism in the party. Four years later, senior MP Shashi Tharoor staking claim to leadership ahead of assembly elections in 2026 has scrambled the thinly-veiled factional peace, with him as a new pole in the state Congress.
Tharoor has adopted an unconventional style. Just like his praise for the growth of start-ups under the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, on Tuesday, he posted a photo with Union minister Piyush Goyal and the UK trade minister to laud the revival of FTA talks — triggering a buzz on social media.
While Congress criticised Tharoor’s praise of the Left govt, the MP’s remarks questioning the party’s strength in Kerala have thrown out in the open concerns which are privately shared by a large section of Congress. Party leaders are unsure if Congress can oust the LDF this time too. The concerns are based on the threat of fragmentation in the Congress support base, because of BJP’s strong pursuit of the Christian community, as well as the fear of loss of some Hindu votes, which has made its dependence on key Muslim ally IUML stronger.
The Left too is making a similar push for a slice of Congress votes. Congress seems to be banking on the anti-incumbency against the Left. Tharoor has put out in the open a widespread worry in the party. In the process, he has portrayed himself as the solution because of what he terms as his ability to reach out to non-Congress voters, and thereby, expand the party tent.
Having won four successive terms from a difficult Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat, Tharoor is a popular leader, but is also a loner in the state unit, viewed by peers as an interloper. He has thrown his hat in the leadership ring of Kerala but Congress sources say it would not be possible for the party to accommodate his claim ahead of other local leaders. Many believe Tharoor may have taken a maximalist position and could be vying for a greater role in Kerala affairs but not necessarily to be declared the outright face. Given the precarious situation that Congress is in, it would be difficult for the party to not accommodate Tharoor in a meaningful way.
His fresh remarks have triggered speculation about his future while party leaders have said Tharoor will not leave Congress. But even his disengaging himself from active party affairs ahead of assembly elections would not help the Congress cause. It is to be seen if Congress can find a way to accommodate the restive leader, a tricky task in which the party has failed in many states in the recent years.