Thiruvananthapuram– Shashi Tharoor, the four-time Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, appears to be increasingly isolated within his own party, sparking renewed speculation about his political future and a potential exit from the Congress.
Tharoor, known for his cosmopolitan profile and independent political stance, has long operated on the fringes of the party’s inner circles — both at the national and state levels. With the passing of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, one of the few senior leaders who maintained a cordial relationship with him, Tharoor’s standing within the Kerala Congress unit has further eroded.
The MP currently enjoys limited support from the dominant factions in the state Congress, deepening perceptions of his growing alienation.
Tensions came into sharper focus following Tharoor’s return from a high-profile international outreach tour — part of the Congress-led “Operation Sindoor” initiative — during which he reportedly made candid remarks at a closed-door meeting in Delhi. Sources familiar with the gathering say Tharoor admitted his relationship with the party was “precariously placed.”
A political observer, speaking to IANS on condition of anonymity, suggested that the rift has become increasingly difficult to bridge. “The Congress has little left to offer Tharoor, and perhaps he has little left to offer the party,” the observer noted. “The real rupture began when he defied the party by running for the Congress presidential post. Things worsened when he was excluded from key parliamentary committees.”
Despite internal opposition, Tharoor recently led a Congress parliamentary delegation abroad, a move that insiders say was not well received by party leadership and may have further strained ties.
Tharoor’s entry into Indian politics in 2009 — after a distinguished career in the United Nations — came as a surprise to many. He secured a Congress ticket following brief meetings with Sonia Gandhi and then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, quickly rising to prominence by winning the Thiruvananthapuram seat. Remarkably, he has since retained the seat for four consecutive terms, without aligning with any major factions in the often-fractured Kerala Congress.
Now, as the Congress undergoes internal review and restructuring in the wake of last year’s electoral performance, attention is focused on Tharoor’s next move. Known for his discretion and calculated political strategy, the seasoned parliamentarian may yet have surprises in store.
For now, party insiders and observers alike are watching closely — and wondering whether Tharoor’s days with the grand old party are numbered. (Source: IANS)
