From rebel to star campaigner: How Shashi Tharoor found his way back in Congress

**Thiruvananthapuram:** Up until recently, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor was considered to have an estranged relationship with the party. The leader often made headlines for praising the party’s opponents and distancing himself from Congress events, at times even hinting at a breaking point in their relationship. But that now appears to be in the past. The leader seems to be cozying up to the party, amplifying its stand, and was one of the most sought-after star campaigners in the Kerala assembly polls.

[](https://vdo.ai/contact?utm_medium=video&utm_term=theprint.in&utm_source=vdoai_logo)

The change was also visible in Parliament Friday. In a speech that lasted about 14 minutes, the Congress MP criticised the BJP-led Centre on the Bills related to women’s reservation and delimitation, saying that the latter could turn into a “political demonetisation” if women’s reservation is linked to it.

“Delimitation is not a mere bureaucratic rearrangement of maps. It is a profound and intentional shift in political power. Linking women’s reservation to it effectively holds the aspirations of Indian women hostage to one of the most contentious political exercises in our history. Such an exercise carries risks that could strain the very fabric of our federalism,” Tharoor said.

The development comes soon after the Thiruvananthapuram MP met LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi late January, days after skipping a party high command meeting in Kerala ahead of the polls.

Following the party line: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in Lok Sabha during the Special Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Friday | Sansad TV/ANI

Soon after this, the Thiruvananthapuram MP, who grabbed headlines last year for praising the Narendra Modi government on several issues, was seen aligning with party lines. He called the Union Budget presented in February an “underwhelming, squandered opportunity” and said it was more about “headline management than governance”, alleging neglect of issues such as unemployment and agriculture. The speech also critiqued the Centre for neglecting Kerala in areas such as railway expansion and AIIMS.

Tharoor was the most sought-after star campaigner of the UDF in the Kerala Assembly polls, covering nearly 59 constituencies across 12 districts, sometimes visiting five constituencies in a single day.

A Congress source told ThePrint that Tharoor had been feeling ‘sidelined’ in the party, which got resolved in his meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.

Divergent views no more: A file photo of Shashi Tharoor and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on the steps of Parliament | ANI

He said Shashi Tharoor might be accommodated in the UDF government, if it comes to power, utilising his knowledge and expertise. The polls for the 140-member Kerala assembly were held on 9 April. The Congress has been expressing confidence about returning to power, banking on “anti-incumbency sentiment” against the LDF government.

One of the few Congress politicians that my dad likes

Pls Mr Tharoor you are larger than RaGa. Just eat him and take over the party and everyone would cheer.