Congress’ Tharoor-Muraleedharan Rift Widens Over Kerala CM Survey
The ongoing rift between Congress MPs Shashi Tharoor and K. Muraleedharan has taken a fresh turn, with tensions running high within the Kerala Congress. The latest development comes after Tharoor dismissed Muraleedharan’s criticism questioning his loyalty, amidst a heated exchange on social media.
The roots of the controversy can be traced back to 22 July, when Tharoor shared a survey on social media, revealing that he is the top choice to become the Chief Minister of Kerala, as per a poll conducted by a leading news outlet. The survey, which included several prominent faces from the United Democratic Front (UDF), placed Tharoor ahead of other contenders, including former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Muraleedharan, a former Lok Sabha MP and senior Congress leader, was not pleased with the development and took to social media to express his displeasure. In a veiled swipe at Tharoor, he suggested that the Congress MP must first “decide which party he belongs to” before making claims about being the top choice for the CM’s post.
Tharoor, however, was quick to respond to Muraleedharan’s criticism, dismissing the remarks as baseless and questioning his own loyalty. In a series of tweets, Tharoor said that he has always been a loyal member of the Congress party and has never shown any inclination to leave the party. He also accused Muraleedharan of being jealous of his rising popularity within the party.
The exchange between the two leaders has sparked a heated debate within the Kerala Congress, with many party leaders weighing in on the issue. While some have sided with Tharoor, accusing Muraleedharan of being jealous and out of touch with the party’s ideology, others have criticized Tharoor for being arrogant and insensitive to the feelings of his colleagues.
The rift between Tharoor and Muraleedharan is not a new development. The two leaders have had a history of disagreements, with Muraleedharan often taking a hardline stance on issues, including the party’s stance on national security. Tharoor, on the other hand, has been known for his more liberal views, which often put him at odds with Muraleedharan.
The latest controversy has also raised questions about the state of the Kerala Congress, with many party leaders worried about the growing divisions within the party. The rift between Tharoor and Muraleedharan has also sparked concerns about the party’s ability to present a united face in the upcoming Assembly elections.
The Kerala Congress has been facing a series of challenges in recent times, including the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF). The party has been struggling to regain its lost ground, with many party leaders feeling that the party’s leadership is out of touch with the ground realities.
The controversy surrounding Tharoor and Muraleedharan has further complicated the party’s prospects, with many party leaders worried that the rift could cost the party dearly in the upcoming elections. The Kerala Congress has a long history of internal conflicts, but the latest controversy has taken the party’s infighting to new heights.
As the party leaders continue to trade barbs and accusations, it remains to be seen how the controversy will play out. Will the Kerala Congress be able to put aside its differences and present a united face in the upcoming elections, or will the rift between Tharoor and Muraleedharan continue to haunt the party?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the Kerala Congress cannot afford to let its internal conflicts derail its chances of success in the upcoming elections.
