Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's conspicuous absence from a pivotal meeting of Lok Sabha MPs convened and chaired by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday has once again ignited speculation and discomfort within the party's ranks, highlighting a pattern of missed key internal deliberations by the articulate Thiruvananthapuram representative.

While party insiders insisted that Tharoor had proactively informed the leadership about his prior commitments rendering him unavailable, the Congress Chief whip in the Lok Sabha admitted to being unaware of the precise reasons behind the absence, underscoring a communication gap that has fuelled quiet unease among colleagues.

The high-profile MP, known for his independent streak and global engagements, was joined in his non-attendance by Chandigarh Representative Manish Tiwari, with Tharoor's publicly shared schedule revealing his presence in Kolkata the previous evening for a literary event organised by the prestigious Prabha Khaitan Foundation, likely delaying his return to the national capital in time for the parliamentary proceedings.

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This latest episode adds to a series of notable absences that have drawn internal scrutiny, including the November 30 strategic group meeting which Tharoor explained away as coinciding with his flight from Kerala, and an earlier session on the Special Intensive Revision issue where ill health and travel with his 90-year-old mother were cited as mitigating factors.

The accumulating absences have heightened sensitivities within the Congress, particularly in light of Tharoor being the sole party figure extended an invitation to the President's lavish state banquet honouring Russian President Vladimir Putin, a distinction that prompted sharp remarks from Spokesperson Pawan Khera about potential external manoeuvring and the need for party loyalty. The leadership has maintained a studied silence on the unfolding dynamics, even as murmurs of discord persist.

Also Read: Shashi Tharoor Attends Putin’s State Dinner While Rahul Gandhi and Kharge Snubbed