Tensions within Kerala’s Congress party escalated as senior leader K Muraleedharan took a sharp jab at Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor over a social media post. Tharoor had shared a survey on X, indicating he was the top pick for chief minister among Congress-led UDF supporters, with 28.3% favoring him to lead Kerala. Muraleedharan dismissed the survey, stating, “Tharoor should first decide which party he belongs to.”

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Muraleedharan emphasized that the UDF’s focus is on winning the 2026 Assembly elections, not fueling controversies. “The chief minister will be from the UDF, regardless of any survey,” he said, highlighting the party’s structured decision-making process and the presence of other senior leaders in contention for the CM post.

The swipe comes amid growing friction between Tharoor and Congress leadership, particularly over his comments on the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which some party members felt put Congress in a defensive position. The survey, conducted by a private agency, has stirred debate as Kerala gears up for EAD for the April 2026 Assembly polls, with the LDF government’s term nearing its end.

Also Read: Tharoor Reflects on Emergency, Warns Against Autocracy

Tharoor’s post, accompanied by a folded hands emoji, has sparked speculation about his ambitions, but Muraleedharan’s retort underscores the internal rivalries that could shape the UDF’s path to power.

Also Read: Tharoor Reflects on Emergency, Warns Against Autocracy