Shashi Tharoor Hints at Exit, Casting Doubt on Congress Ties
Shashi Tharoor's recent cryptic comments about having “options” if the party doesn’t need him has stirred the hornet's nest in the grand old party
Considered by many to be an erudite statesman, Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, stirred political speculation with a candid statement that has sent ripples through India's political circles. Speaking on Varthamanam, a Malayalam podcast by The Indian Express, Tharoor expressed his readiness to serve the Indian National Congress but hinted at alternative paths if the party no longer values his contributions. "I am available for the party," he said, "but if Congress doesn’t need my services, I have options."
While he dismissed rumors of switching parties, his remarks underscored a growing tension between the him and the Congress leadership, raising questions about his future role and the party’s direction in Kerala ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Tharoor’s statement comes amid a brewing controversy sparked by his recent praise for both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kerala’s Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Earlier in February, Tharoor penned an article lauding Kerala’s entrepreneurial growth and ease of doing business under the LDF, citing the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2024, which highlighted the state’s attraction of $1.7 billion in investments over 18 months. This drew sharp criticism from his own party, with Kerala Congress leaders such as V.D. Satheesan and K.C. Venugopal questioning the basis of his claims, while the CPI(M) welcomed his observations as a validation of their governance. Adding fuel to the fire, Tharoor had previously commended Modi’s diplomatic engagement with U.S. President Donald Trump, a move that further irked Congress loyalists.
The four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram framed his comments as a reflection of his independent stance, not political opportunism. "I don’t think like a politician," he remarked during the podcast. "I’ve never had narrow political thoughts. When I’m convinced about something, I speak, whether it’s praising a rival government’s good work or criticizing my own." Tharoor emphasised that his electoral success, winning over voters beyond the Congress’s traditional base, demonstrates public support for his approach. "Even those against Congress vote for me," he noted, suggesting this broader appeal is what the party needs to reclaim power in Kerala, where it risks a third consecutive term in opposition if it fails to expand its voter base.
His 2022 bid for the Congress presidency, though unsuccessful against Mallikarjun Kharge, showcased his ambition to steer the party toward reform, a vision he feels has been underutilised. "Opinion polls show I’m ahead in leadership stakes in Kerala," he claimed, positioning himself as a potential chief ministerial candidate for the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 2026. Yet, he cautioned, "If the party doesn’t want to use that, I have my own things to do - books, speaking tours, global invitations."
The Congress response has been mixed. Senior leader Ramesh Chennithala downplayed the controversy, suggesting Tharoor’s podcast interview likely predated his recent meeting with Rahul Gandhi on February 18, where the two reportedly had a "very good conversation." Chennithala, who had recruited Tharoor into Congress in 2009 at the urging of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, refrained from escalating the issue. However, the CPI(M) seized the moment, with leaders such as T.M. Thomas Isaac hinting that Tharoor would not be a "political orphan" in Kerala if he parted ways with Congress, a subtle nod to his potential alignment with the Left.
As speculation swirls, Tharoor remained cryptic yet composed. On Saturday, he posted a quote from Thomas Gray’s Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College on X: "Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise," captioning it "Thought of the day." When pressed by reporters at Delhi airport on Sunday about a possible rift with Congress, he deflected with a smile: "No comments at all. Go watch the match, it’s an important match today," referring to the India-Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy clash.
Tharoor’s latest salvo has left political observers pondering: Is this a calculated push for greater influence within Congress, a warning shot to a party he feels has sidelined him, or the prelude to a dramatic exit? For now, the seasoned diplomat-turned-politician seems to be keeping his cards close, balancing loyalty with the quiet assertion of his independence. As Kerala’s political landscape heats up, all eyes are on whether Congress will harness Tharoor’s appeal or if he’ll chart a new course altogether.
