Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor did not attend a high-level meeting convened by the party leadership in Delhi on Friday to review preparations for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, setting off chatter about possible unease within the party ranks.

Initial speculation suggested that Tharoor’s decision to skip the meeting stemmed from resentment over what was perceived as a lack of regard from the party’s top leadership, including Rahul Gandhi. However, Congress insiders later clarified that Tharoor had informed the high command in advance and received permission to remain in Kerala.

According to party sources, Tharoor chose to stay in his parliamentary constituency of Thiruvananthapuram, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a major roadshow and public rally on the same day. The Congress MP reportedly felt it was important to be present locally during the high-profile political event.

Earlier in the day, sources had indicated that Tharoor was unhappy following an episode at a Congress Mahapanchayat held in Kochi, where Rahul Gandhi was also in attendance. The dissatisfaction was said to have arisen from confusion around the event’s seating arrangements and the sequence of speakers.

Tharoor, a senior MP and prominent face of the party in Kerala, was allegedly informed that only Rahul Gandhi would speak after him. However, several other leaders eventually addressed the gathering, deviating from the initial plan. This change was reportedly viewed as an embarrassment, particularly given Tharoor’s stature within the organisation.

Observers also noted that Rahul Gandhi did not mention Tharoor during his speech at the Kochi event, an omission that did not go unnoticed among party workers. The episode sparked internal conversations about protocol, organisational discipline and the treatment of senior leaders.

Despite the speculation, the Congress has not issued any formal comment on the matter. Party sources, however, maintained that Tharoor’s absence from the Delhi meeting should not be read as a sign of rebellion or dissent, reiterating that he had sought and received consent to prioritise his constituency commitments.

PM Modi’s Kerala outreach

On the same day, Prime Minister Modi led a large roadshow in Thiruvananthapuram and unveiled multiple development initiatives, including the launch of the PM SVANidhi Credit Card and the disbursal of loans to beneficiaries. He also flagged off several new train services. Addressing a rally later, Modi criticised both the Congress and the Left over corruption and urged voters to give the NDA an opportunity in the state.