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Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday dismissed speculation about a rift with his party, clarifying that his recent comments about having “other options” were misinterpreted. Addressing the controversy, he questioned why his remarks were blown out of proportion, emphasizing that his podcast conversation was not centered on politics.
“You all heard the podcast, what was the controversy about? I still haven't understood the controversy... Now that you have heard the whole podcast, can you tell me what your question is? I am happy to respond. It was a 45-minute conversation about life and the pursuit of happiness—nothing much about any political controversy,” Tharoor explained.
#WATCH | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, " You all heard the podcast (Indian Express Malayalam), what was the controversy about?...I still haven't understood the controversy...now that you have heard the whole podcast, can you tell me what your… pic.twitter.com/g07JxyTXnv
— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2025
Amid swirling rumors of discord, Tharoor confirmed his attendance at a key Congress meeting on Friday, where Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge will also be present.
“A meeting of the party has been called on Friday. I will be there with everyone else,” he stated.
Podcast, Cryptic Quote & A Selfie: What Sparked the Controversy?
Speculation over Tharoor’s alleged discontent with Congress gained momentum after a series of incidents raised eyebrows:
Saturday (Cryptic Quote Post):
Tharoor posted a Thomas Gray quote:
"Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."
Many interpreted this as a veiled comment on Congress’s internal affairs.
Sunday (Podcast Interview):
In a Malayalam podcast, Tharoor warned that Congress risked losing a third consecutive term in Kerala if it failed to broaden its appeal.
- He stated that many party workers sensed a "leadership vacuum" within the state’s Congress unit.
- Reflecting on his four-time election victory from Thiruvananthapuram, he remarked that if the party no longer needed him, he had "other options", such as writing books and speaking tours.
Tuesday (Selfie with Union Minister Piyush Goyal):
Tharoor shared a selfie with BJP leader & Union Minister Piyush Goyal, praising the revival of “long-stalled FTA negotiations” with Britain.
- This added fuel to speculation, with many questioning if Tharoor was signaling a shift in political alliances.
The Bigger Picture: Tharoor’s Position in Congress
Shashi Tharoor has been known for his independent stance within the Congress party.
- He contested against Mallikarjun Kharge in the 2022 Congress presidential elections, advocating for internal reforms.
- His remarks about Congress’s future in Kerala and leadership concerns have often ruffled feathers within the party’s state unit.
However, his confirmation of attending the key Congress meeting on Friday suggests that he remains firmly within the party—at least for now.
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