Senior Congress leaders in Kerala have openly voiced their frustration with Shashi Tharoor, signalling that the party's tolerance for the Thiruvananthapuram MP’s political positioning is wearing thin. This development comes amid mounting criticism over his repeated remarks perceived to be aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The latest flashpoint was Mr. Tharoor’s public commentary on Indira Gandhi’s role during the Emergency, which echoed BJP narratives about alleged "excesses" under the then Prime Minister. According to senior leaders within the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), such statements do not reflect the party’s ideological stance and blur the line between constructive dissent and defection.

‘Congress Workers Will Boycott Him’

Speaking to the press on Sunday, July 20, 2025, former KPCC president K. Muraleedharan made it clear that Shashi Tharoor was increasingly being seen as a political outlier in the party’s Kerala unit. “Congress workers in Thiruvananthapuram have been told not to invite Mr. Tharoor to party functions or share platforms with him. He is acting like he is not one of us,” Muraleedharan said.

This statement is significant, considering Tharoor’s seniority and his position in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) — the party’s highest decision-making body. The public call for a social boycott within the party hints at a deeper schism and possible organisational isolation for the four-time MP.

Pattern of Pro-BJP Stance

Congress leaders accuse Mr. Tharoor of a recurring pattern of public remarks that undermine party ideology, particularly on foreign policy and national security issues. His praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s international diplomacy, particularly during India’s G20 presidency, and apparent endorsement of BJP’s narrative on the Emergency, have drawn sharp internal criticism.

Several Congress insiders claim that Tharoor has crossed a red line, often speaking more like a neutral foreign policy analyst than a committed party leader. While diplomatic praise or balanced analysis is not a problem, they argue that his tone and timing often provide political fodder to the BJP.

“Shashi Tharoor must choose between playing a statesman and being a party leader,” said a senior AICC observer for Kerala, under the condition of anonymity. “You cannot wear both hats without consequences.”

Repeated Deviations

This is not the first time Tharoor has courted controversy within Congress. Over the years, he has been viewed as a maverick within the party ranks, often charting his own political course. However, his recent statements — particularly those casting Indira Gandhi in a negative light over the Emergency — were seen as not just factually debatable but also politically unwise, especially when the party is seeking to rehabilitate its own narrative on the period.

Moreover, Mr. Tharoor has often praised Modi’s foreign policy conduct on global stages, sometimes even ahead of official Congress statements or contrary to them. Party loyalists view this as an unnecessary endorsement that gives the ruling party a moral victory, weakening Congress’s own critique.

Leadership Frustration Brewing

The Kerala Congress unit is widely believed to be among the most disciplined and ideologically cohesive branches of the party. Mr. Tharoor’s continued divergence has alienated state-level leaders, who have found it difficult to defend his remarks in public forums or explain them to the party cadre.

“This isn’t about one statement. This is about a pattern that’s been building up for years,” said a KPCC office bearer. “When a senior leader appears to be playing on the opponent’s pitch, it demoralises the workers on the ground.”

Congress High Command Silent — For Now

Interestingly, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has not issued a formal statement on the matter, possibly waiting to gauge the full extent of the backlash. Political analysts believe the party high command is hesitant to alienate Mr. Tharoor completely, given his stature, intellectual capital, and appeal among urban middle-class voters.

However, if the pressure from the Kerala unit continues, the party might be forced to publicly censure or sideline Mr. Tharoor from key decision-making forums like the CWC.

Background: Tharoor’s Unique Standing

Shashi Tharoor has long had a dual identity in Indian politics — as a globally respected diplomat and author, and a Congress politician with a reformist mindset. He has leveraged his communication skills and international experience to connect with voters and opinion-makers. But this very positioning has often placed him at odds with Congress traditionalists, who see him as aloof, overly independent, and at times, ideologically ambiguous.

His Twitter (now X) threads often go viral, and media interviews give him significant exposure, but party veterans argue that this media-savvy style doesn’t necessarily translate into party loyalty or electoral strategy.

Could Tharoor Exit Congress?

While Shashi Tharoor has not indicated any plans to quit the Congress, speculation is rife that continued alienation by the Kerala leadership could push him towards either forming his own platform or joining a third front.

Political observers point out that Tharoor’s moderate image and policy-oriented approach could make him a prime target for parties like Trinamool Congress (TMC) or even a symbolic face for a national liberal coalition.

However, switching sides may not be easy, especially given his deep ties to Thiruvananthapuram, where the Congress party structure has been crucial in ensuring his repeated victories.

What Next?

For now, Shashi Tharoor finds himself in a precarious position — caught between his intellectual independence and the party’s demand for ideological discipline. The ball is now in his court: he can course correct and realign with the party, or chart a new path that reflects his views more accurately.

In either case, the coming months will be critical — not just for Mr. Tharoor’s political future, but also for the Congress’s internal unity ahead of key state elections

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