Congress MP Shashi Tharoor once again skipped a crucial party meeting on Tuesday, this time held at former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s residence in Delhi. The meeting, attended by party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, P Chidambaram, and other senior leaders, was convened ahead of the Union Budget session, during which the ruling BJP will be questioned on the G-RAM-G jobs guarantee scheme.

Sources confirmed that Tharoor was in Dubai for a literature festival and had informed the party of his unavailability. This marks the second instance in four days that Tharoor missed a top-level meeting; he also skipped discussions on the upcoming April Assembly elections in Kerala. Despite speculation, Tharoor reportedly intends to return to India later tonight.

The MP from Thiruvananthapuram, a seat he has held since 2009, has had a strained relationship with Congress leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi, following disagreements over party priorities and respect shown during Gandhi’s Kerala visit. His absences have sparked internal debate and media speculation about his commitment to the party.

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Tharoor has previously faced criticism for remarks perceived as praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, including comments on the Pahalgam terror attack and military operations against Pakistan. While he firmly denied any intention to switch parties, speculation over his political future has persisted.

Adding to the uncertainty, rumors have circulated linking Tharoor to Kerala’s ruling CPI(M). When questioned, he declined to comment, while CPI(M) leader MV Govindan dismissed the reports as mere speculation. Analysts note that Tharoor’s association with the G-23 group demanding party leadership reforms has further strained his standing within Congress.

Despite tensions, the party has refrained from taking disciplinary action, partly due to electoral considerations ahead of the Kerala elections. Tharoor is seen as a significant influencer among voters in the state, giving him leverage over the party while also fueling speculation about his ambitions, including potential aspirations for the Chief Minister’s post if the UDF wins.

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