Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s repeated skipping of important party meetings is intensifying speculation about his political alignment. The Thiruvananthapuram representative was absent from a crucial Congress strategy group meeting, presided over by Sonia Gandhi, which was preparing for the Winter Session of Parliament starting December 1st. A spokesperson for Tharoor indicated his absence was due to travel with his 90-year-old mother in Kerala. This follows a pattern of missed engagements, including a recent meeting on the ‘SIR’ issue, where he cited ill health.
The controversy surrounding Tharoor deepened following his participation in a Prime Minister Narendra Modi event and his subsequent public praise for Modi’s vision of national transformation and challenging colonial-era ‘slave mentality.’ These statements drew sharp criticism from within the Congress, with some leaders questioning his commitment to the party and demanding explanations. Tharoor has consistently denied any plans to leave Congress, framing his public statements as expressing differing opinions. However, his frequent divergences and absence from pivotal party strategy discussions continue to be a significant talking point, fostering debate about his long-term commitment to the Congress party and his political future.