Why is Shashi Tharoor smiling?

Congress leader and high profile Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor’s post on X on January 29 on his meeting with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s office seemed, on the face of it, straightforward enough. “Thanks to @INCIndia President @khargeji and LS LoP @RahulGandhi ji for a warm and constructive discussion today on a wide range of subjects. We are all on the same page as we move forward in the service of the people of India,” the Tweet said.

The accompanying photo records Tharoor smiling widely. This is not quite reciprocated by Rahul and Kharge who sport faint smiles. But more than any likely visual clues – which can be misleading or overstated – the photo captures an unusual event where a sulking party leader received a direct audience with a party high command more used to operating through apparatchiks in the organisation.

Holding his own

If Tharoor is smiling, there is a reason for it. He seems to have held his own despite sharp criticism from within the party that he has leaned towards or been “soft” on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On more than one occasion, Congress communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh has dismissed Tharoor’s comments are “not party position” and has alternated between irritation and disdain when speaking about the MP.

The thing is that while other discontents can be either disciplined or ignored, Tharoor has acquired an image and standing of his own. He has careful differentiated himself from Bharatiya Janata Party’s cultural nationalism but avoided the reflexively boorish commentary on the Prime Minister that Congress spokespersons and leaders routinely dish out. His appeal to “reason” on the grounds that decisions taken in national interest should be supported has served to set him apart.

Tharoor has also pointed out that he cannot flay the Modi government for accepting some his demands. He has said he has a duty towards his constituents and ungrudgingly acknowledged BJP’s handsome win the municipal corporation elections in Thiruvananthapuram. He is also a prominent presence in the lecture/book circuit at home and abroad, a popular columnist and his literary work is genuinely appreciated. In other words, slapping him down is not an easy task at all.

Was part of G 23

Tharoor was part of the G 23 group of senior leaders who raised a banner of protest against Rahul’s leadership by penning their grievances in a letter in August, 2020, to Sonia Gandhi, who was then interim Congress president. The G 23 did get to discuss their issues with Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Vadra, but that was as a group. The G 23, however, did not sustain. Senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad left the party. Jitin Prasada joined BJP and is now a central minister. Many others made their peace with the Gandhis and though far from happy about how the party is doing, their options are limited.

But Tharoor did not stop. He ploughed a lonely furrow, never actually crossing the line or acting in a manner that could attract the charge of sabotage. Yet, he remained a constant thorn in the side of Rahul and the party functionaries who are seen to execute the LOP’s directions. Adding to the speculation was a near constant murmur that Tharoor could well cross over and clasp the BJP.

Kerala elections

Tharoor’s deliberate decision to keep away from organisational discussions – apparently for being slighted by the party leadership – worried the Congress high command. Kerala elections are not far and they are a must-win contest for the party that has suffered a string of dispiriting losses after its better-than-expected showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha poll where it won 99 seats and became eligible to claim the LOP post.

The Communist-led ruling alliance in Kerala is seen to have lost popularity after two consecutive terms in office but BJP has emerged as the “X” factor in the state that usually alternates between the Left and Congress alliances. The Left is not going down without a fight and has targeted Congress over its ties with the Indian Union Muslim League despite having itself courted Islamists espousing the Hamas cause during the Gaza war. BJP is growing and while it may or may not win seats, it can upset the calculations of both the major alliances.

In such a situation, in a state where seats can be decided on small margins, it is important for Congress than Tharoor is in good humour. Some of Tharoor’s re-positioning – he was more hardline “secular” in the past – seems to be a recognition that many of his voters have shifted rightwards. The January 29 photo said it all. Tharoor has many reasons to smile.