Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan has strongly criticized party colleague and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Shashi Tharoor, asserting that Tharoor will not be invited to any party event in Thiruvananthapuram unless he reconsiders his stand on national security.
“He is not with us anymore. Until he changes his stance, there’s no question of his involvement in party programmes here,” Muraleedharan told reporters. He added that the party’s national leadership would decide any further action against the Thiruvananthapuram MP.
The comments come in the wake of Tharoor’s recent statements supporting the armed forces and central government on national security, which drew backlash from several Congress leaders. At an event in Kochi, Tharoor reaffirmed his position, stating, “The nation comes first. Political parties are just a means to build a better India.” He said he would stand firm, even if criticized, emphasizing national interest over party lines.
Muraleedharan had earlier questioned Tharoor’s loyalty following the circulation of a survey naming Tharoor as the UDF’s top choice for Kerala Chief Minister. He had also slammed Tharoor’s article critical of Indira Gandhi and the Emergency, published in a Malayalam daily.
The remarks underscore a growing internal rift in the Kerala Congress, with senior leaders questioning Tharoor’s alignment and public positioning.