All's not well? Shashi Tharoor skips back-to-back Congress meets ahead of Winter session

Tharoor, a four-time Thiruvananthapuram MP and former member of the G-23 reform group, has had a strained relationship with the Congress leadership for months.

In a move that has further fueled speculation about his political future, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, on Sunday evening, missed the party’s strategic group meeting chaired by Sonia Gandhi. This, notably, marks the second consecutive high-profile gathering the Thiruvananthapuram MP has skipped.

The meeting, convened to finalise the Congress’ strategy for the Winter Session of Parliament, was attended by senior leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

Tharoor’s office later clarified that the MP was returning from Kerala with his 90-year-old mother on a later flight, making it impossible for him to reach Delhi in time.

“This was not intentional,” Tharoor told ANI. “I did not skip it; I was on a plane, coming from Kerala," he stated.

To be mentioned here, the senior leader had previously missed a key meeting on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, citing ill health. His attendance, however, at a government event addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a day earlier, coupled with social media posts praising the PM, quickly triggered criticism within the party.

Congress leaders were vocal in their disapproval.

Party colleague Sandeep Dixit had said, “Shashi Tharoor’s problem is that I don’t think he knows a lot about the country… If someone is doing good for the country by going against the Congress’s policies, then you should follow those policies… If you really feel that the BJP or PM Modi’s strategies are working better than the party you are in, then you should give an explanation. If not, you are a hypocrite.”

Congress leader Supriya Srinate had also expressed her concerns, stating, “I didn’t find anything in the speech (of PM Modi) worth appreciating. He criticised Congress there too. PM thinks of Congress day and night. This is amazing.”

Tharoor, a four-time Thiruvananthapuram MP and former member of the G-23 reform group, has had a strained relationship with the Congress leadership for months. His public statements supporting government actions, including his role in India’s Operation Sindoor and international engagements, have often conflicted with the party line.

Party chief Kharge has reportedly expressed displeasure, saying, “The Congress believes in country first, but for some people, it’s Modi first.”

With Kerala scheduled for Assembly polls early next year, Tharoor’s repeated absences and independent stance have intensified speculation about his political future. Despite the controversy, Tharoor maintained that his absence was due to personal commitments and travel constraints.