Shashi Tharoor Skips Congress Meet After Rahul Gandhi Snub Triggers Fresh Party Rift

• Shashi Tharoor skips Congress meeting amid party rift
• Rahul Gandhi visit sparks Shashi Tharoor dissatisfaction
• Congress faces internal tension before Kerala elections

Delhi: Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has once again drawn attention for distancing himself from the party, choosing to skip a crucial Congress meeting linked to upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. His absence has reignited talk of simmering tensions within the party.

Sources indicate that Tharoor felt slighted during Rahul Gandhi recent visit to Kochi, where he allegedly did not receive what he considered appropriate respect. The episode appears to have deepened his dissatisfaction with the party leadership and influenced his decision to stay away from the election strategy meeting.

According to reports, Tharoor was asked to conclude his speech early at a public programme ahead of Rahul Gandhi arrival. He reportedly viewed this as a sign of disregard, leading to growing resentment over how he was treated during the event.

The meeting he skipped was scheduled to be attended by Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders of the Kerala unit to discuss preparations for the Assembly polls due later this year. Tharoor absence from such a key discussion has raised eyebrows within political circles.

This is not the first time the four time MP has appeared uncomfortable with the party leadership. Over the past several months, he has kept a noticeable distance from organisational activities, fuelling speculation about his political future and alleged outreach beyond the party.

Tharoor recent public remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly after the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military actions against Pakistan, had earlier put him at odds with the Congress high command. The ruling BJP has repeatedly highlighted these statements to underline divisions within the opposition party.

Adding to the buzz, Tharoor also shared a selfie with Gautam Gambhir, former BJP MP and current Indian men cricket team coach, which further intensified political chatter around his stance.

At present, Tharoor is said to be in Kerala and has opted out of the meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. However, neither the Congress party nor Tharoor has issued any official statement clarifying the reasons behind his absence.