NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi sought to project unity within the Congress in Kerala, sharing a photo with state leaders, and captioning it, “They stand as one, united by the light of purpose ahead. #TeamKerala.” The row erupted following Tharoor’s article in an English daily, where he appeared to commend the LDF government’s industrial policies.
His statements fuelled speculation about a rift within Congress, especially when he mentioned in the podcast that Kerala’s Congress unit lacked a decisive leader. Tharoor had also shared a selfie with Union minister Piyush Goyal and UK’s Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds, which added to the speculation regarding his stance within the party.
In a high-level meeting at the Congress headquarters on Friday, Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge reinforced the importance of discipline and unity within the Kerala unit. As per PTI sources Gandhi urged leaders to be mindful of their political strategy and refrain from making statements that contradict the party line. The three-hour-long discussion centred on strengthening the organisation and ensuring a collective approach ahead of the upcoming elections.
Kharge stressed that the Congress remains deeply connected with the people of Kerala, both emotionally and politically. AICC in-charge of Kerala, Deepa Dasmunshi, said after the meeting that the leadership had made it clear that any remarks disrespecting the sentiments of the state’s people would not be tolerated. She also dismissed speculation about disunity within the party, asserting that all leaders were committed to fighting the ruling LDF and BJP in the state.
Tharoor, who had come under scrutiny for his recent comments, reiterated his commitment to the party’s unity. His remarks in a Malayalam podcast had been perceived by some as a bid for a greater leadership role in Kerala. However, sources confirm that no clarification was sought from him during the meeting, as he had already explained that his words were misrepresented in English translation. Tharoor later posted on X, stating that the meeting had ended with a “strong affirmation of party unity.”
Despite the internal debates, the Congress remains focused on its electoral strategy in Kerala, with plans to launch extensive outreach programmes from April. Senior leader Ramesh Chennithala reiterated that there were no internal divisions, and the party would fight the elections as a united front. Congress President Kharge also declared that people in Kerala would reject both the LDF and the BJP in the upcoming polls, signalling the party’s determination to reclaim power in the state.
The Kerala Assembly elections are scheduled for 2026.