“I Am Not Going Anywhere”: Shashi Tharoor Reaffirms Loyalty to Congress Ahead of Kerala Polls

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has firmly put to rest speculation about his future in the party, making it clear that he has no intention of leaving the Congress and will play a leading role in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP spoke a day after holding a lengthy meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Parliament. Addressing reporters, Tharoor stressed that his focus is now squarely on strengthening the United Democratic Front (UDF) and helping the alliance return to power in Kerala.

"I am in the Congress and I am not going anywhere," Tharoor said bluntly when asked about exit rumours. He added that he would be "at the forefront" of the Congress campaign in the state and would actively work for the UDF's victory in the Assembly polls.

Tharoor also sought to clarify his position on internal party discipline, saying that while he occasionally expresses personal views on development or national issues, he does not contradict the official stand of the Congress. According to him, differences in emphasis should not be mistaken for a lack of loyalty. He underlined that no individual in the party has the right to undermine the collective line.

Praising Rahul Gandhi, Tharoor described him as a leader with a clear ideological position, particularly in opposing communal politics. He said his own public interventions have consistently aligned with inclusive and secular values, which remain central to the Congress's vision.

At the same time, Tharoor questioned why his commitment to the party is repeatedly scrutinised. "Why is this question asked only to me?" he said, insisting that his long association with the Congress should speak for itself.

The clarification comes amid reports of unease within the Kerala Congress unit. Tharoor had earlier expressed discomfort over being sidelined at certain party events and had skipped a key strategy meeting for the state elections, fuelling talk of internal friction. Differences over past remarks on foreign policy and national security issues had further added to the buzz around his role.

However, Tharoor indicated that those concerns were addressed during his nearly two-hour discussion with Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, which he described as positive and constructive. "All is good. We are moving together on the same page," he said.

With the Kerala Assembly elections drawing closer, Tharoor has signalled that internal issues are behind him and that his priority is campaigning for the Congress and the UDF, while continuing to engage with national issues in coordination with the party leadership.