Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments during the inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala have reignited political chatter surrounding Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
In a rare cross-party nod, PM Modi mentioned Tharoor by name, hinting that the MP’s presence at the event might unsettle some within the Congress party.
“Today Shashi Tharoor is sitting here. Today’s program will disturb the sleep of some people. The message has gone wherever it had to go,” the Prime Minister remarked from the dais, drawing attention to the Congress leader’s attendance at the high-profile function.
Tharoor, a four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram, has recently been at the center of growing speculation about his role within the Congress—particularly in Kerala, where he has increasingly carved out a distinct political identity, sometimes diverging from the party’s local leadership.
His decision to personally welcome PM Modi at the Thiruvananthapuram airport further fueled the discussion. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Tharoor shared, “Despite delays at the dysfunctional Delhi airport, managed to land in Thiruvananthapuram in time to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his arrival in my constituency.” The photo of the two leaders greeting each other quickly went viral, sparking varied reactions online.
The event itself marked the formal inauguration of the Vizhinjam International Seaport — a mega infrastructure project valued at ₹8,867 crore. Developed by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd through a public-private partnership, the port is poised to become a major transshipment hub in global maritime trade.
PM Modi arrived at the port by helicopter, inspected the site on foot, and received a detailed briefing on its operations, wearing a safety helmet throughout the visit.
