Shashi Tharoor Confident in UDF's Prospects for Kerala Elections
Tharoor Dismisses BJP's Influence in Kerala
Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor expressed strong confidence in the United Democratic Front's (UDF) chances in the upcoming Kerala assembly elections, categorically dismissing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a party with no seats in the state. Speaking ahead of the elections, Tharoor emphasized that the real contest is between the UDF and the Left Democratic Front (LDF). He stated, 'Let’s not forget that the BJP has no representation in Kerala. We have strong candidates, experienced ones, along with some fresh faces. The public is fed up with the misgovernance of the LDF, and the BJP cannot provide a solution as they lack the capability. In fact, they don’t hold a single seat in the assembly, and if they manage to win one, two, or three seats, they will claim a major victory.'
A Call for a Fresh Government
Tharoor further articulated that the people are yearning for a positive, fresh government that aligns with Kerala's aspirations. 'This is my message. The Congress party will secure between 85 to 100 seats in the elections,' he asserted. Addressing the 'B team' controversy, he dismissed it as absurd, stating, 'We have no connection with anyone's B team because we are the A team of Kerala. Both the BJP and LDF do not want the Congress party to come to power in the state. Our commitment is to the people of Kerala, and we will ensure their interests are safeguarded.'
Advocating for Women's Representation
On the topic of women's representation in politics, Tharoor supported the women's reservation bill, highlighting that no party has allocated sufficient seats for women in elections. 'We only have 10% of the seats, while the BJP has 11%. We do not need a large number of women; hence, we require the reservation bill to guarantee opportunities for women,' he explained. Responding to allegations of pro-BJP statements, Tharoor denied making such remarks, clarifying, 'I am a staunch critic of the BJP and particularly of communalism, which I believe is against the country's interests. However, as a responsible citizen of India, I often speak about national interests.'
Concerns Over Criticism of the Government
Expressing concern over comments made by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticizing the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tharoor remarked, 'This is extremely embarrassing for us.' He had previously supported the government's restraint and silence regarding the Iran conflict, hoping it would lead to peace and that India would take a leading role in establishing it, as Prime Minister Modi often advocates. 'Ironically, it is Pakistan that is playing this role, with Turkey and Egypt also taking the lead in this regard, which is disappointing,' he concluded.