'I speak for India and Kerala’s future': Shashi Tharoor amid rift with Congress brass over LDF praise row

Calling himself a classic liberal, Tharoor said he always opposed communalism

Amid rumours of his rift with the Congress leadership, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor dismissed any speculation of him joining the BJP.

In an interview with the Indian Express, Tharoor also cited the ideological differences with the BJP as a reason for not joining it. He also reiterated his belief in liberalism and India’s pluralistic ethos. “I have always been a classic liberal. I oppose communalism and believe in social justice alongside economic growth,” he told IE.

Tharoor had reportedly recently received flak from within the party apparently for praising the Kerala Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's industrial policy. He praised the LDF government's handling of the Kerala economy in a newspaper article. The Left welcomed his remarks, but it drew fire from his own camp. However, Tharoor insisted that despite facing criticism, he is loyal to Congress.

“Some in my own party oppose me, but I speak for India and Kerala’s future,” Tharoor said.

Highlighting his background in the United Nations before being invited by Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, to join electoral politics, Tharoor said he never chose it as a career. In a podcast also recently Tharoor said if the Congress does not want his services, he has other things to do.

"If the party wants me then I will be there for the party. If not, I have my own things to do. You should not think that I don't have any option to spend time. I have options. I have my books, speeches, invitations from across the world for talks," he said.

After the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Tharoor had said if the next general election takes place five years down the line, he does not see himself contesting again.

The senior Congress leader told IE that he remains open to contributing to various capabilities. “If the party wants to utilize my strengths, I’ll be there. If not, I have other options,” he said while referring to his writing and global speaking engagements.

Calling himself a classic liberal, Tharoor said he always opposed communalism and believed in social justice alongside economic growth.

He also shared with IE that his mother encourages him to remarry, he is content with his current phase. “God hasn’t made me feel the need for it now,” he said.