In a significant political development, senior Congress leader and opposition leader V D Satheesan made a surprise visit to party MP Shashi Tharoor at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. This meeting marks a notable thaw in relations after weeks of internal unease and widespread speculation regarding Tharoor's future within the party.
Focus on Election Preparations and Party Unity
The discussions primarily centered on strategic preparations for the crucial upcoming Kerala assembly elections. This engagement is widely perceived as a concerted effort orchestrated by the Congress high command to resolve internal dissonance and project a united front before the high-stakes electoral battle.
Tharoor's Active Campaign Role
Shashi Tharoor has conveyed his full willingness to play an active and substantial role in the Congress campaign across Kerala. His responsibilities are expected to extend beyond mere appearances, involving key contributions to drafting the party's election manifesto and vision document. Furthermore, Tharoor is slated to lead structured interactions with youth and professional groups—an initiative the United Democratic Front (UDF) believes is vital for expanding its appeal beyond traditional voter bases.
High-Command Mediation and Reassurance
The reconciliation process was actively spearheaded by All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K C Venugopal, with veteran leader A K Antony playing a crucial calming role. At the recent party conclave in Wayanad, Venugopal personally assured Tharoor of his continued political relevance within Kerala's Congress framework. This message was consistently reinforced through repeated outreach from the state leadership, including Satheesan himself.
Tharoor's commitment was further solidified just three days prior to this meeting, following discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi. After these meetings, Tharoor affirmed that all parties were "on the same page." Addressing reporters, he reiterated that there is "only one party" in his life, with his sole objective being the victory of the Congress and the UDF. He firmly dismissed any suggestions that his participation in party programs was under duress.
Boosting UDF Morale and Ending Speculation
With Tharoor firmly reaffirming his position, the UDF camp appears notably upbeat. The party leadership is optimistic that his considerable influence among young voters and politically unaligned citizens could prove decisive in the elections.
Saturday's low-key visit has effectively drawn the curtain on one of the most awkward internal episodes for the Congress in recent months. This period had peaked amid intense speculation that Tharoor might consider aligning with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, a move that is now firmly off the table.
Tharoor on Policy Issues: Coastal Erosion and AIIMS
Separately, Shashi Tharoor addressed pressing policy concerns, urging the central government to fulfill its budgetary promises to Kerala. He specifically highlighted the long-pending establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the state, a promise made approximately fifteen years ago that remains unrealized.
Tharoor also emphasized the urgent need to tackle coastal erosion on a "war footing." He drew a sharp contrast, noting that while the loss of even an inch of land to a foreign country like China triggers discussions on war and national security threats, the large-scale erosion of coastal areas—which he referred to as parts of "Bharat Mata"—does not receive commensurate attention.
"The central government says it is the responsibility of the state while the state government says it does not have the funds," Tharoor told reporters, expressing hope that the upcoming Union Budget would finally address this critical issue. He also identified unemployment as another major concern facing the nation.
