‘Don't give anti-govt votes to BJP; If you want change, vote for UDF’: Tharoor urges Kerala voters

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has stated that there is no point in giving anti-Left government votes to the BJP. He emphasised that if the public is truly voting for change, that support must go to the UDF. According to Tharoor, also a member of the Congress Working Committee, even the BJP does not expect a victory, questioning what kind of change they could possibly deliver.

He said that while the BJP can afford to conduct campaigns by splurging money due to their power at the Centre, such tactics will not yield results in Kerala. He also noted that the triangular contests in the Nemom and Kazhakoottam constituencies are not a new phenomenon.

Tharoor asserted that a strong anti-incumbency sentiment is prevalent across the state, with young people aligning themselves with the UDF regardless of their previous political affiliations. He claimed that although the LDF is presenting a 10-year progress report as the achievements of just five years, they have failed to even approach the performance levels of the former Oommen Chandy administration. He further argued that the LDF has no right to claim exclusive credit for major projects such as the Vizhinjam Port, National Highway development, or the GAIL pipeline, noting that development is intended for the people regardless of who executes it.

The MP also clarified his stance on a previous article he wrote supporting the Left government regarding the World Startup Report. He explained that he stepped back from that position after realising the report relied solely on government-provided figures. Tharoor called for a fundamental change in the Left parties' approach to development, pointing out that many projects they currently promote were the same ones they obstructed while in opposition, a move that hindered the state's progress. He also urged the LDF to cooperate with the development activities that the UDF will undertake upon coming to power.

Furthermore, Tharoor alleged a "deal" between the BJP and the LDF, stating that the BJP’s national agenda is to keep the Congress out of power. He suggested that as part of this strategy, the BJP would vote for the LDF in several constituencies, and the LDF would similarly align with the BJP to sideline the Congress. He claimed this is evident from the LDF-NDA candidate lists but insisted the public has recognised this tactic and will not be swayed. Tharoor expressed confidence that the UDF would secure a comfortable majority.

Regarding the FCRA [Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act] Amendment Bill, he stated it would undoubtedly be brought back after the elections and demanded it be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further study, calling the Bill unconstitutional.