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Tharoor, who is attending a literature festival in Dubai, said it was not appropriate to comment on such political matters while being in a foreign country.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. (PTI file photo)
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Sunday declined to comment on reports linking him to discussions with people associated with the CPI(M) in Dubai, as both the Congress and the Left played down speculation about a possible party switch.
Tharoor, who is attending a literature festival in Dubai, said he had seen the reports during his flight to the city but felt it was not appropriate to comment on such political matters while being in a foreign country. He made the remarks after reporters approached him for a response.
The reports have triggered fresh speculation about the Thiruvananthapuram MP’s political future, with claims suggesting he was unhappy over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi not adequately acknowledging him at a recent event in Kochi. There have also been allegations that Tharoor has been sidelined by senior party leaders in Kerala.
Reacting to the developments, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan dismissed the reports as baseless. He said questions about Tharoor holding discussions with the CPI(M) or joining the party were “mere speculation” and had no relevance.
“Tharoor continues to be a prominent leader of the Congress. He follows a different approach of regularly praising the BJP Prime Minister. In such a situation, I do not think rumours of him joining the CPI(M) are relevant,” Govindan said.
When asked whether the CPI(M) would accept Tharoor if he chose to switch parties, Govindan said the party followed a general rule of accepting individuals or groups who were willing to oppose communal forces at the national level and support the Left Front’s development policies in Kerala.
The Congress also moved to shut down the speculation. Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, said he was unaware of any issue caused by Tharoor within the party. “He is a senior leader. If there are any concerns, they will be resolved,” Satheesan said.
UDF convener Adoor Prakash echoed the view, saying Tharoor was a member of the Congress Working Committee and firmly part of the party. He said it was wrong to suggest that Tharoor was planning to leave the Congress.
(With inputs from PTI)
Kerala, India, India
January 26, 2026, 18:23 IST
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