Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday strongly dismissed media reports speculating about his recent meeting with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi, calling such accounts “fanciful” and based on unfounded assumptions.
The meeting, held in Kharge’s chamber at the Parliament House complex, has been the subject of widespread political speculation. Responding to the reports, Tharoor said that only three leaders were present during the discussion and none had provided detailed briefings to the media.
“I have been reading fanciful accounts of who said what in my meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi,” Tharoor said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Let me stress that there were only three of us in the room, and none of us has spoken to the media in such detail.”
He added that any claims beyond his public remarks were “sheer speculation”, and criticised what he described as irresponsible journalism, saying it undermines credible reporting.
Congress Unity Reaffirmed
Tharoor’s clarification follows reports suggesting that he had sought the meeting due to dissatisfaction over his role and political space within the party. The Congress MP firmly rejected those claims.
Earlier in the day, Tharoor reiterated that he remains firmly with the Congress and has no plans to leave the party. Speaking to reporters, he said he would actively campaign in Kerala and work towards the victory of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the upcoming Assembly elections.
“I can say that I am going to be in the Congress and that I am not going anywhere,” Tharoor said, according to PTI. Referring to Rahul Gandhi, he described him as a leader “who opposes communalism”.
‘Constructive and Positive’ Discussion
Following the meeting, which reportedly lasted over an hour and forty-five minutes, Tharoor described the discussion as constructive and forward-looking.
“We had a very good, constructive, positive discussion. All is good and we are moving together on the same page,” he told reporters.
Addressing speculation over leadership choices for the Kerala Assembly elections, Tharoor said the issue of chief ministerial candidature was not discussed. He added that he is focused on his current responsibilities as a Member of Parliament representing Thiruvananthapuram.
Political Context
The meeting comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the Kerala Assembly polls, which are crucial for the Congress as it aims to return to power after a decade in opposition. Recent reports had also highlighted Tharoor’s absence from a key party meeting in Kerala, further fuelling speculation about tensions within the party.
Tharoor, however, has consistently maintained that there are no differences with the Congress leadership.
