Amid reports of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s potential absence from a crucial meeting and his alleged discontent with Rahul Gandhi, party leader Sandeep Dikshit emphasized that the non-attendance of leaders not central to the party holds no significance. Dikshit noted that all prominent and senior leaders from Kerala are participating in the meeting, stressing that the presence of individuals not pivotal to the party does not impact proceedings.
Earlier reports indicated Tharoor’s displeasure with the party leadership following an incident during Gandhi’s recent visit to Kochi, where Tharoor felt he did not receive the expected respect. A video circulating on social media purportedly shows Gandhi acknowledging several leaders while seemingly overlooking Tharoor, which reportedly left the Thiruvananthapuram MP dissatisfied.
The meeting, called by party President Mallikarjun Kharge, aimed to strategize for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. Notable invitees included state unit President Sunny Joseph, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V.D. Satheesan, and Congress Working Committee members Ramesh Chennithala and Tharoor. However, Tharoor was notably absent from the gathering.
Tharoor, a former diplomat, has faced scrutiny from the Congress central leadership due to statements perceived as favorable towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP. His remarks on various issues, including the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military actions, have strained his relationship with the party. The BJP has capitalized on these differences to criticize the opposition, particularly highlighting Tharoor’s divergent stance on certain matters.
