Tharoor is not the first Congress leader to show displeasure with party leadership: Anil Antony

Delhi: BJP National Secretary and Spokesperson, Anil K. Antony, has accused the Congress party of internal turmoil, following comments from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor that have stirred political controversy in Kerala. Antony claimed that Tharoor's criticism of the Congress leadership was unsurprising, noting that the party has been increasingly divided.

"Shashi Tharoor is not the first Congress leader to show displeasure with the Congress leadership," Antony said, adding that the party’s ongoing disarray was evident. He also pointed out that Tharoor had recently echoed the sentiments of many Indians when praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision during his recent visit to the United States. "A seasoned diplomat with extensive international experience, Tharoor’s remarks were nothing surprising," Antony said.

The remarks from Antony come after Tharoor found himself embroiled in a row over his praise of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's industrial policy in Kerala. The Congress MP, known for his diplomatic background, was criticised by party colleagues in Kerala following his article in an English daily, where he highlighted the changing industrial climate in the state, particularly the rise of the start-up ecosystem.

Tharoor, who represents Thiruvananthapuram, responded to the backlash by clarifying that his article was not meant to be a comprehensive review of Kerala's entire economy, which he described as being in "dire straits." Instead, he said his focus was on the specific issue of the state’s growing start-up sector.

"First of all, I wrote it as a Kerala MP on one specific subject, the changed industrial climate as evidenced by the start-up ecosystem alone," Tharoor wrote on social media platform X. He also noted that the LDF government had built upon the legacy of former Congress Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who had initiated the Start-Up Village and the State’s Start-Up Mission.

Tharoor expressed pride in the continuity of Chandy’s initiatives, stating, "As a Congressman, I am proud that this builds on an initiative undertaken by former chief minister Oommen Chandy." The MP went on to say that the article was not a broad commentary on the Kerala economy, which, in his words, faces challenges such as "high unemployment, massive out-migration, especially of educated youth, crisis in agriculture, and a record level of debt."

In his defense, Tharoor added, "When something good emerges, it is petty not to acknowledge it."

Meanwhile, the BJP has also turned attention to an ongoing issue in Kerala. Antony raised concerns over a series of strikes by over 26,000 ASHA workers employed under the National Health Mission (NHM) scheme, who have reportedly not been paid for periods ranging from two to six months. Antony emphasized that the Kerala government had failed to adhere to guidelines issued by the Department of Expenditure, which mandate that all states must comply with regulations for special assistance under the State Capital Expenditure scheme.

"The issue could have been avoided had the Kerala government followed the regulations laid out for special assistance," Antony said, calling attention to the plight of these health workers who have been crucial to the state's public health efforts.

As Kerala’s political landscape heats up, the discord within Congress and the ongoing workers’ strikes are proving to be significant flashpoints. With political figures from the BJP seizing the opportunity to highlight the Kerala government's missteps, and Congress struggling to maintain cohesion, the state is at the centre of a growing political debate that will likely have wider ramifications for the upcoming elections. (IANS)