Shashi Tharoor Reaffirms Loyalty to Congress, Says He Never Deviated from Party Line
Shashi Tharoor Reaffirms Loyalty to Congress, Says He Never Deviated from Party Line
Tharoor insists his opinions align with the Congress, after recent controversy, during Kerala leadership camp discussions in Sultan Bathery.
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress Working Committee member and Thiruvananthapuram MP, has reiterated that he has never deviated from the Congress line. The assertion comes after a wave of discussions sparked by his recent statements and an article that put the party on the defensive. Speaking to reporters after taking part in the Lakshya 2026 leadership camp organized by the KPCC in Sultan Bathery, he challenged the notion that his opinions diverged from the party’s stance. “My question is, who said that I left the party line. Even when I expressed my opinions on various subjects, on most matters, the party and I have stood on the same line,” he said. He also argued that controversies often arise when media reports focus on headlines without presenting the full content, inviting listeners to read the complete text before drawing conclusions.
Tharoor emphasized his long-standing commitment to the party, noting he has been with the Congress for 17 years and has maintained good relations with colleagues. “There is no need for any sudden misunderstanding now,” he asserted, addressing questions about issues that some attributed to his bid for the Congress presidency in the past. He added that the party has a democratic tradition of internal elections, including leaders who contested and sometimes lost.
On remarks that were perceived as praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tharoor said he merely quoted as part of a broader discourse, insisting there was no intention to undermine the party’s core position. He also defended his conduct by pointing to his responsibility to contribute to public discourse without crossing party lines.
The Kerala leadership camp, aimed at shaping the state’s Assembly election strategy, welcomed Tharoor’s presence as a relief, with party leaders hoping to leverage his popularity while keeping to the party’s guidelines. AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal publicly signaled that Tharoor remains a valuable leader, while urging caution in future remarks. He stressed that Tharoor’s services would be utilized, provided he stays within agreed boundaries.
Overall, Tharoor’s reiteration of loyalty occurs at a time when the Congress is assessing its Kerala campaign and public messaging, seeking to balance a strong, popular voice with disciplined party discipline.
