Shashi Tharoor likely to skip key Congress meeting amid disquiet with party leadership: Sources

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is unlikely to attend a crucial meeting of the party’s Kerala leadership scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, with sources indicating that he is unhappy over what he perceives as a lack of due recognition during Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to Kochi.

Senior leaders of the Congress in Kerala besides Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge are set to meet at 2.30 pm to review preparations for the Assembly election this year. Tharoor, a four-time MP representing Thiruvananthapuram, will be reportedly absent from the discussions.

A former diplomat, Tharoor has lately been viewed as being at odds with the Congress high command, particularly following remarks that were interpreted as appreciative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led government. These include his comments on the Prime Minister’s handling of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military strikes against Pakistan, along with occasional public criticism of the party.

The strain between Tharoor and the Congress — often seized upon by the BJP to target the Opposition — was again on display on Thursday.