Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Team Kerala’ Social Media Post in Response to Shashi Tharoor Controversy
Congress Unity in Kerala
The Congress party in Kerala is gearing up for the upcoming Assembly polls, and party leader Rahul Gandhi is determined to ensure that internal issues do not affect their prospects. In a recent move to showcase unity, Rahul Gandhi shared a picture of party leaders in Kerala, emphasizing that they "stand as one" and are "united by the light of purpose ahead."
Tharoor’s Controversies
One of the prominent figures in the picture is Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who has been at the center of a controversy within the Congress’s Kerala unit. Tharoor, a former Union Minister and four-time MP, recently praised the start-up boom in Kerala, which led to a row within the party.
Tharoor clarified that his remarks were not in support of the CPM-led government but were meant to highlight the state’s progress in the start-up sector. However, the CPM seized this opportunity to counter the Congress’s criticisms of the LDF government, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan acknowledging Tharoor’s statements.
Party Responses and Strategy Meeting
The state Congress unit strongly reacted to Tharoor’s comments, emphasizing the need to uphold party unity and not weaken it from within. Kerala Congress chief K Sudhakaran expressed support for Tharoor, stating that his statements were intended to strengthen the party.
A strategy meeting in Delhi, attended by top leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, focused on the importance of maintaining political strategy and party discipline. Deepa Dasmunshi, the AICC in-charge of Kerala, emphasized that the Congress is deeply connected with the people of Kerala and cautioned against actions that could disrespect them.
Emphasizing Unity
Despite the controversies, Deepa Dasmunshi reiterated that the Congress in Kerala remains united against the LDF and the BJP. She emphasized that the party leadership did not seek clarification from Tharoor, as he had already addressed the misinterpretation of his remarks.
In a post-meeting statement, Shashi Tharoor highlighted the unity among Kerala Congress leaders and reaffirmed their commitment to party unity as they prepare for the upcoming elections. The party is focused on presenting a united front and speaking in a unified voice to address the concerns of the people of Kerala.