'Stand As One': Rahul Gandhi's Message For Kerala Congress Leaders Amid Shashi Tharoor Rift Buzz
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's assertion came after the Congress’ top brass met Kerala leaders at ’Indira Bhawan’ here for a brainstorming session on Friday
Amid speculations of an internal rift between the Kerala Congress and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asserted that the party’s state unit leaders "stand as one" and were "united" by the light of purpose ahead.
His assertion came after the Congress’ top brass met Kerala leaders at ’Indira Bhawan’ here for a brainstorming session on Friday to discuss the strategy and the way forward ahead of next year’s assembly elections. Tharoor who was seated between Congress MLA Ramesh Chennithala and MP K Suresh.
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Posting a picture from the media byte by Kerala leaders after the meeting, Gandhi said in a Facebook post, "They stand as one, united by the light of purpose ahead." His post was accompanied by the hashtag ’Team Kerala’.
Earlier reports fuelled rumours of an internal split between the Kerala Congress and Tharoor, who was quoted by The Indian Express as saying in a Malayalam language podcast that if Congress did not require his services, he had other “options".
The publication also claimed that Tharoor raised the issue of the “absence of a leader in Kerala’s Congress". However, the 68-year-old MP refuted these reports and slammed the public for its “baseless and irresponsible" reporting.
Tharoor’s recent praise for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government has also seemed to rub leaders of the grand old party the wrong way. However, Tharoor’s popularity extends beyond the party, exemplified with his recent selfie with Union Minister Piyush Goyal.
What Was Discussed In Kerala Congress Meeting?
At the meeting of Congress’ Indira Bhawan headquarters, Gandhi said leaders should be very careful about the political strategy and should not do or say anything that does not toe the party line, sources told news agency PTI. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also laid stress on discipline, ensuring unity and filling up the vacant posts to strengthen the party’s Kerala unit.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kerala Congress chief K Sudhakaran, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan and AICC in-charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunshi, among others, were also present at the meeting.
"We got a clear indication from our high command that the Congress is very much connected with the people of Kerala emotionally and politically. People are looking for a change, so we should not do anything that will disrespect the people of Kerala," Dasmunshi had told reporters after the meeting.
"This was a clear indication and if anyone (says) anything personally, we will take strong action. Because we have no right to disrespect the people of Kerala," he added.
(with PTI inputs)
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