Thiruvananthapuram: Congress Leader of Opposition in Kerala V D Satheesan on Friday dismissed speculation of differences within the party, announcing that senior MP Shashi Tharoor will be actively involved in the UDF’s campaign across all 140 Assembly constituencies in the upcoming Kerala elections.

Speaking to reporters, Satheesan said Tharoor had already participated in a meeting with Rahul Gandhi in Kochi and would play a key role in the campaign. “He was present in a meeting with Rahul Gandhi in Kochi also. He will be at the forefront of the UDF campaign for the elections in Kerala. He will be more active in Kerala for the elections. We are trying to take him to all 140 constituencies in the state,” Satheesan said.

Satheesan added that discussions with the party’s national leadership had been positive and constructive, following recent speculation triggered by Tharoor’s absence from a party event in Kerala.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, for his part, also played down the controversy surrounding the ‘Kochi Mahapanchayat’, stating that the matter had been amicably resolved after discussions with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
 

Speaking on the Congress’s Observance Day, marking the 78th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Tharoor said reports of internal discord were overstated. “Many of the reports were considerably exaggerated, but whatever it was, the issues have been thoroughly discussed in a very amicable atmosphere with both the Congress president and the LoP. As I said yesterday, we are all on the same page. There's nothing more to say. All is good. We are moving forward,” he said.

With Assembly elections expected in about three months, Tharoor stressed the need for the party to focus on campaigning and outreach. He recalled having campaigned in 56 constituencies during the previous elections and said he hoped to expand that effort this time. “It is very, very important that we send the right message to the voters and at the same time have an opportunity to really make a significant impact on the lives of people,” he added.

The controversy had erupted after Tharoor was reportedly overlooked by Rahul Gandhi during the Congress ‘Mahapanchayat’ held in Kochi on January 19, even as he was addressing the gathering. The party later clarified that Tharoor had prior commitments at the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode and denied any internal issues.

Separately, Tharoor criticised the Kerala government’s recent budget, warning against what he described as an over-reliance on borrowing. “I really worry that already the Kerala growth model has been replaced by a Kerala debt model,” he said, calling for economic growth driven by investment and a more business-friendly environment.

When asked about the Congress’s Chief Ministerial candidate, Tharoor ruled himself out, saying the issue was never discussed. “No, that was never discussed. I am not interested in being a candidate for anything. I am already an MP and have the trust of my voters in Thiruvananthapuram. I have to look after their interests in Parliament, that is my job,” he said.

ANI