Rahul Gandhi Dismisses Rift Speculations in Kerala Congress, Calls for Unity
Mumbai: Amid speculations of an internal rift between the Kerala Congress and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday reaffirmed that the party’s state unit leaders “stand as one” and remain “united by the light of purpose ahead.”
His statement came after Congress’ top leadership convened a high-level meeting with Kerala Congress leaders at ‘Indira Bhawan’ on Friday. The session aimed to discuss strategies and the way forward for the upcoming assembly elections. Tharoor, who was seated between Congress MLA Ramesh Chennithala and MP K Suresh, was also present at the meeting.
Posting a picture from the post-meeting media interaction, Gandhi stated in a Facebook post, “They stand as one, united by the light of purpose ahead,” using the hashtag #TeamKerala.
Speculations Over Rift with Tharoor
Earlier reports suggested a possible split between the Kerala Congress leadership and Tharoor, fueled by his remarks in a Malayalam-language podcast. According to The Indian Express, Tharoor hinted at considering “other options” if Congress did not require his services. Additionally, he was reported to have commented on the “absence of a leader in Kerala’s Congress.”
However, Tharoor swiftly refuted these claims, calling the reports “baseless and irresponsible.” His recent praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government had also raised eyebrows within the Congress, with some leaders perceiving it as discordant with the party’s stance. Despite this, Tharoor’s appeal extends beyond party lines, as seen in his recent viral selfie with Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
Key Discussions at Kerala Congress Meeting
During the strategy meeting at Indira Bhawan, Gandhi urged party leaders to exercise caution in their political messaging and avoid statements that deviate from the party’s official stance. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge emphasized the importance of discipline, unity, and filling vacant leadership positions to strengthen the Kerala Congress unit.
The meeting was attended by top Congress leaders, including AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kerala Congress Chief K Sudhakaran, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader V D Satheesan, and AICC Kerala in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi.
Following the meeting, Dasmunshi told reporters, “We received a clear message from our high command that Congress is deeply connected with the people of Kerala, both emotionally and politically. People are seeking change, so we must ensure that our actions and statements respect their aspirations.”
The meeting signaled Congress’ commitment to maintaining internal cohesion while preparing for the upcoming assembly elections in Kerala.
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