Shashi Tharoor’s Message to Congress: ‘I Have Options If You Don’t Need Me’

A Diplomatic Warning to Congress Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has once again found himself at the center of a political storm. In a recent podcast, Tharoor made a striking remark: "If the Congress does not need my services, I have other options." This statement, which follows his controversial praise for Kerala’s Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, has fueled speculation about his future in the party. While Tharoor has denied any plans of switching parties, his remarks hint at growing tensions within Congress, particularly regarding its leadership in Kerala. As the state gears up for the 2026 Assembly elections, the debate over Tharoor’s position in Congress continues to intensify. Tharoor’s Praise for Kerala’s LDF Government Sparks Controversy The controversy began when Tharoor praised the LDF government’s industrial policy and Kerala’s economic growth in a newspaper article. His remarks were seen as a tacit endorsement of the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led government, which did not sit well with Congress leaders. Tharoor later clarified his stance, stating that his praise was for Kerala’s entrepreneurial growth rather than the state government itself. He referenced the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2024, which highlighted that Kerala had attracted $1.7 billion in investments over 18 months. Despite his clarification, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President K. Sudhakaran criticized the LDF for allegedly inflating growth figures, indirectly responding to Tharoor’s comments. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seized the moment to counter Congress’s criticism of his government, citing Tharoor’s article as proof of Kerala’s progress. ‘I Have Options’: Tharoor’s Cryptic Message to Congress During a podcast interview, Tharoor dropped a political bombshell, stating that if Congress no longer needed him, he had plenty of options, including books, speaking tours, and global invitations. His remarks immediately triggered speculation about his future in the party. However, when confronted by reporters at the New Delhi airport, he refused to elaborate, simply responding, "No comments at all. Go watch the match; it’s an important match today." Congress’ Leadership Crisis in Kerala Tharoor’s comments have also shed light on a deeper issue within Kerala Congress—the absence of a strong leader. He noted that several party workers have expressed concerns over the lack of a clear leadership structure in the state. In the 2024 general elections, Congress saw a resurgence at the national level. However, its performance in Kerala has remained stagnant, raising questions about its electoral strategy for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections. Tharoor has positioned himself as a potential leader in Kerala, stating that he is ahead of others in the race. Whether Congress will embrace his leadership or side-line him remains uncertain. Tharoor’s Social Media Post Adds to the Speculation Amidst the swirling controversy, Tharoor took to X (formerly Twitter) and shared a cryptic post: “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.” – Thomas Gray. The post was widely interpreted as a veiled jab at his critics within Congress, further fueling rumors of an internal rift. The Left’s History of Industrial Opposition in Kerala While Tharoor’s remarks about Kerala’s economic progress sparked debate, Congress leaders hit back by reminding voters of the Left’s past opposition to industrial growth in the state. A Congress party editorial argued that previous Chief Ministers such as R. Sankar, C. Achutha Menon, K. Karunakaran, A. K. Antony, and Oommen Chandy had played a more significant role in Kerala’s industrialization than the current LDF government. The editorial mocked the idea of praising the CPI(M) for economic progress, stating that it was as absurd as “giving an Ahimsa award to an executioner.” Tharoor’s Remarks on Modi’s US Visit Add Fuel to the Fire In addition to his praise for Kerala’s economic policies, Tharoor’s past positive remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi have also drawn flak from Congress. When Modi visited the United States and met with former President Donald Trump, Tharoor lauded the strengthening of US-India relations. However, a Congress-backed editorial dismissed this as mere political optics, arguing that the visit did not yield any substantial trade or defense agreements. The editorial also highlighted the plight of Indian migrants detained in US prisons, suggesting that Modi’s diplomatic efforts had done little to improve their situation. Will Congress Embrace or Side-line Tharoor? Shashi Tharoor’s political future remains uncertain. While he has firmly stated that he is not leaving Congress, his remarks indicate growing frustration with the party’s leadership. As the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections approach, Congress faces a critical choice:

• Leverage Tharoor’s popularity and intellectual appeal to strengthen its position in Kerala, or
• Side-line him and risk internal divisions weakening the party further.