Shashi Tharoor Skips A Congress Meeting, Again. This Time He's In Dubai

The political landscape within a major national party is currently grappling with a growing internal narrative surrounding one of its prominent figures, MP Shashi Tharoor. His repeated absence from crucial party consultations has ignited widespread speculation, hinting at a potential deepening rift and raising questions about his long-term allegiance and future trajectory within the political sphere. This comes at a particularly sensitive time, with significant legislative sessions on the horizon and critical state elections looming.

The latest instance of this pattern occurred on Tuesday afternoon, when the seasoned parliamentarian was notably absent from a high-level party meeting convened at the residence of former party president Sonia Gandhi in Delhi. The gathering was meticulously organized to strategize for the upcoming Parliament session, which promises to be a crucible of political debate. Key agenda items include the highly anticipated tabling of the union budget and an intense grilling of the ruling party over the contentious G-RAM-G jobs guarantee scheme. The gravity of the meeting underscored the importance of unified party front-making, making Tharoor's absence all the more conspicuous.

The meeting saw the formidable presence of the party’s current chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, alongside stalwarts Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, signaling the top brass's direct involvement in the session's preparatory work. Other senior leaders, including P Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh, Pramod Tiwari, and Manish Tiwari, were also in attendance, further highlighting the significance and strategic nature of the discussions. Their collective presence underscored the urgency of crafting a coherent strategy to challenge the government effectively.

Information emerging from party circles indicated that Tharoor was reportedly 'abroad' at the time of the meeting, engaged in a literature festival in Dubai. He was expected to return to the country later that evening. Sources clarified that he had proactively communicated his unavailability to the party leadership, a detail that, while offering an explanation, did little to quell the underlying murmurs of discontent and political distancing.

This incident marks the second time in just four days that Tharoor has foregone participation in a top-tier party meeting, signaling a troubling pattern. Last week, he had also skipped a vital discussion focused on the upcoming April Assembly election in Kerala, a state where he holds significant political clout. Tharoor represents the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in the Lok Sabha, a seat he has successfully retained since 2009, making his non-attendance at a Kerala-focused strategy meeting particularly perplexing and politically charged.

The previous absence had been shrouded in controversy and conflicting reports. Initial whispers suggested Tharoor was 'upset' with Rahul Gandhi, purportedly due to a perceived 'lack of respect' shown during Gandhi’s recent visit to Kerala. This sentiment quickly spiraled into a day of heightened uncertainty and conflicting narratives within the party. Initially, it was communicated that Tharoor would not attend the meeting at all. However, hours later, sources close to the MP claimed he would indeed participate, albeit via a video link, citing a prior engagement – an appearance at a literature festival in Kochi – as the reason for his physical absence. Yet, when the meeting commenced, Tharoor was once again conspicuously absent from both physical and virtual attendance, further fanning the flames of speculation and highlighting a disconnect.

On that occasion too, Tharoor had reportedly informed the party of his inability to attend. Subsequently, he emphatically dismissed any public discussion about skipping the meeting, firmly telling reporters that the matter had been thoroughly addressed internally and that he would refrain from making any further public comments on the issue, a move that suggested an attempt to de-escalate, but perhaps also concealed deeper friction.

These recent instances are not isolated. Tharoor’s attendance record at party meetings has drawn scrutiny over a longer period, with reports indicating he had also missed three other significant gatherings between November and December of the previous year. This cumulative pattern of non-participation paints a picture of a leader increasingly detached from core party functions and strategic deliberations.

A diplomat by training and known for his articulate expression and intellectual depth, Tharoor is widely perceived to be navigating increasingly precarious political ground within the party. This perception has largely stemmed from a series of public comments that appeared to commend Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling party, contrasting sharply with his party’s official stance. These remarks included favorable observations on the Prime Minister's handling of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent retaliatory military strikes on Pakistan, dubbed Operation Sindoor. Furthermore, he has occasionally offered critical assessments of his own party and its leadership challenges through various media platforms, which have undoubtedly contributed to the widening chasm.

These seemingly commendatory remarks towards political adversaries triggered a fierce backlash from within his own party. Bitter retorts and strong condemnations were issued, with some members openly speculating whether Tharoor was positioning himself for a defection to the ruling party. Despite the intense pressure, Tharoor has consistently and vehemently denied any intention of switching allegiances. In June of the previous year, he reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty, stating that he had remained steadfastly committed to the party for 16 years. He clarified that his praise for the Prime Minister should not be misinterpreted as a desire to join the ruling party, but rather as "a statement of national unity," attempting to frame his comments in a broader, non-partisan context.

However, despite his explicit denials, the murmurs and speculation regarding a potential political shift have stubbornly refused to dissipate. The underlying tension occasionally surfaces in unexpected ways. A notable instance occurred in Nagpur when Tharoor posted a selfie with former ruling party MP and current men's cricket team coach, Gautam Gambhir. In his accompanying caption, Tharoor lauded Gambhir for holding what he described as "the second-hardest job in India, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi." This seemingly innocuous post quickly became fodder for political interpretation. A spokesperson for the ruling party, Shehzad Poonawalla, seized upon the opportunity, drawing parallels between cricket fans second-guessing Gambhir’s coaching decisions and the opposition’s perceived antagonism towards the Prime Minister, accusing the latter of acting against national interests.

Adding another layer to the complex narrative are the circulating rumors that Tharoor might potentially depart from his current party to join Kerala’s ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist). When directly confronted with these speculations on Monday, Tharoor adopted a guarded stance, acknowledging that he had indeed seen the news reports but unequivocally declined to offer any comment on the matter. Concurrently, senior CPIM leader MV Govindan swiftly dismissed any discussions about Tharoor joining their ranks as mere 'speculation,' attempting to pour cold water on the burgeoning rumors.

Against the backdrop of these internal rumblings, the party is meticulously preparing for the forthcoming Kerala election, striving to capitalize on the momentum gained from surprising victories in the municipal elections held just last month. In an apparent attempt to downplay the internal friction, VD Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, maintained that he was unaware of any 'problems' Tharoor might have created for the party, highlighting the delicate balance the party leadership is trying to strike.

Political analysts and observers have long indicated that Tharoor’s relationship with the party has been on precarious footing, particularly since his involvement with the 'G-23' group. This influential collective of senior party leaders penned a significant letter to then-party president Sonia Gandhi in 2022, boldly demanding a comprehensive overhaul of the party’s leadership structure. This act of internal dissent marked a turning point, positioning Tharoor among those advocating for significant internal reforms, an stance that has undeniably shaped his current standing within the party.

Despite the mounting evidence of an increasingly strained relationship and instances of perceived defiance, the party appears to be remarkably hesitant to initiate any formal disciplinary action against Tharoor. According to internal party sources, this reluctance, as suggested last month, is largely a calculated move driven by electoral arithmetic, especially with the critical Kerala election on the horizon. The party finds itself in a strategic dilemma, where any decisive action against Tharoor could inadvertently jeopardize its electoral prospects in the state.

A deeper look reveals that this cautious approach by the party is further complicated by simmering tensions within its Kerala unit. Specifically, a significant friction point exists between Tharoor and National General Secretary KC Venugopal. Venugopal is widely regarded as a close confidante and key ally of Rahul Gandhi, and is considered one of the most prominent figures in the party's hierarchy, after Gandhi and Kharge themselves. This internal power dynamic adds another layer of complexity to the party's handling of Tharoor.

Crucially, Tharoor commands a substantial and dedicated following among voters in Kerala, a fact that weighs heavily on the party's calculations ahead of the election. His significant sway among the electorate makes him an invaluable asset, despite the internal discord. Party sources have hinted that Tharoor is acutely aware of the party’s delicate position regarding his popular appeal and is reportedly eyeing the coveted Chief Minister's role should the United Democratic Front (UDF), the party-led opposition alliance, emerge victorious in the upcoming state elections. This intricate standoff, where Tharoor strategically leverages his popularity while the party treads carefully due to electoral necessities, potentially explains why he occasionally takes opportunities to critique the party, and paradoxically, why the party refrains from immediate or harsh repercussions. It’s a nuanced game of political chess, with high stakes for all involved, especially with the imminent electoral battles.