Shashi Tharoor, one of 23 dissidents who wrote to Sonia Gandhi calling for changes in the party, has been labeled an “immature politician and guest artist” by a senior leader of the Kerala Congress.
Kodikunnil Suresh’s comments angered many young leaders who joined Tharoor and took to social media in a big way to express their anger. Later, the head of the Pradesh Congressional Committee (PCC), Mullappally Ramachandran, who was the first to attack Tharoor, called on all leaders to treat the issue as closed and not to freely express opinions.
Tharoor’s contributions are immense and he is an inspiration to young people. Without a doubt, he is a global citizen. His contacts really helped the state during the difficult times of the pandemic. You may have different opinions on issues like the privatization of airports, but these things will have to be resolved through discussion, ”wrote young lawmaker KS Sabarinathan on Facebook in support of him.
“It is not good to point and attack a person like Tharoor. The need of the moment is unity. The unity of Kerala always stood by the position taken by the senior leader AK Antony. But it’s not fair to attack Tharoor like that, ”said another lawmaker, PT Thomas.
What really angered some of these leaders was the forceful criticism of Kodikunnil Suresh.
Tharoor is not a politician. For the party, it is just a guest artist. He is immature and has yet to learn to work well within the framework of the party. It is not right for him to take different positions thinking that he is a global citizen, ”Suresh said, criticizing his fellow state MP.
Previously, the CCP chief and senior leader, K Muralidharan, had also criticized Tharoor.
The party has 15 state deputies, including Rahul Gandhi, who represents Wayanad in Lok Sabha.
“I am not a global citizen. But the so-called card at this point created a lot of confusion and gave our opponents a good suit. It should have been avoided, ”said Muralidharan, son of party legend K Karunakaran, adding that Sonia Gandhi led the party effectively through difficult times and that the future of the party was secure in his hands.
Before the letter controversy, many high-ranking leaders were upset with Tharoor for his “daring apolitical positions.”
Last week, when the Center decided to lease Thiruvananthapuram airport to a private company, congressional leaders opposed the move along with the ruling front. However, Tharoor supported him, saying that it was very necessary for the development of his constituency. He enjoys good support, especially among young people, due to his proactive stance on development and other issues.
When the airport problem generated a lot of anger, he reminded the party leaders that he was consistent with his position from day one and that he cannot change his views to suit the occasions.
The party was also upset when it congratulated the state health minister, KK Shailaja, when some international publications praised her for her energetic fight against Covid-19.
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