Shashi Tharoor Declares He Will Not Contest for Kerala Chief Minister Position

Tharoor Clarifies His Position Ahead of Kerala Elections

As the Kerala assembly elections approach, prominent Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor has made it clear that he is not a candidate for the chief minister role. In an exclusive interview, Tharoor stated that since he is not contesting in the assembly elections, he is technically and ethically out of the race. He emphasized that ideally, the chief minister should be elected from among the elected legislators.

When directly asked about his candidacy, he responded, "No, I am not a candidate. There are several solid reasons for this, the most significant being that I am not contesting myself. My role this time is as a team player and campaigner in the state."

Tharoor expressed his eagerness to campaign across the state, mentioning a recent suggestion from former Congress president Rahul Gandhi for the leaders of the Congress-led UDF alliance to work together in a coordinated manner. He noted that this was a "good message" and that now "everyone is working in sync."

UDF's Election Strategy and Expectations

While he would be pleased if Congress secures a majority in Kerala, Tharoor believes that achieving between 85 to 100 seats in the 140-member assembly would be a commendable outcome for the UDF. Using cricket terminology, he remarked that the UDF is throwing 'googly' balls against the LDF, as they are on a challenging pitch, and he believes they can catch them off guard.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP also mentioned that as elections become more presidential in style, he personally supports presenting a potential chief ministerial face before the elections. However, he added that Congress has the capability to achieve good electoral results based on an agenda, mission, and party symbol rather than relying solely on an individual.

When questioned about the potential impact of not having a face in the campaign against the LDF, which has the current Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as its face, Tharoor acknowledged the concern but reiterated that Congress has traditionally not adopted this approach.

Congress's Strategy and Election Dynamics

Tharoor explained that the party's strategy has always been to focus on the party rather than an individual candidate. Once the party wins, it chooses its leader based on consultations with elected legislators. He emphasized that Congress has a deep-rooted presence in Kerala, with its voice being taken seriously in every neighborhood, village, and ward.

This strong presence allows Congress to perform well based on its agenda and mission rather than just a single individual's name. He noted that while this principle may not apply everywhere, in states like Assam, a clear party face like Gaurav Gogoi exists.

In Kerala, however, they plan to fight without declaring a face, and he believes that the state's strength will allow them to succeed in this manner.

Concerns Over Election Timing and Strategy

Tharoor expressed surprise at the election date being set for April 9, especially since the announcement was made late on March 15. He pointed out that the Election Commission has given parties only about three weeks for campaigning, and many have yet to declare their candidates. Nominations are due by Monday, and suddenly these candidates will face voters on April 9.

He alleged that this timing seems deliberately designed to benefit the current governments in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry, where elections are also scheduled for April 9. Tharoor expressed confidence in the UDF's victory, citing a decade-long anti-incumbency wave against the LDF government due to its failures, economic crisis, and corruption scandals.

When asked if his issues were resolved after a recent meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and former President Rahul Gandhi, Tharoor stated that his concerns were not significant for the state, emphasizing that he is not a candidate in the state elections. He highlighted the importance of working as a cohesive team, of which he is a part.

Tharoor's Role in the Campaign

Tharoor mentioned that he is co-chairing the campaign committee and participating in regular online meetings with other members while also attending parliamentary sessions. He plans to be in Kerala until the elections, with the possibility of visiting all 14 districts.

He praised Rahul Gandhi's recent visit to Kerala, noting that the Leader of the Opposition delivered a memorable speech in Thiruvananthapuram.