Amid Congress Rift Rumors, Shashi Tharoor’s Photo with Piyush Goyal fuels Speculation about His Political Future
Congress Whispers of a Rift: Is Shashi Tharoor’s Photo with Piyush Goyal a Clue to his Political Fate?
In the midst of ongoing speculations about his potential rift with the Congress party, news has surfaced that Thiruvananthapuram MP and senior leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday shared a photo on social media with Union minister and senior BJP leader Piyush Goyal and British secretary of state for trade Jonathan Reynolds. This latest development has sparked further rumors about Tharoor’s political future.
The Photo: A Clue to Tharoor’s Political Fate?
The photo, which was posted on social media, featured Tharoor, Goyal, and Reynolds, with the caption: "Good to exchange words with Jonathan Reynolds, Britain’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in the company of his Indian counterpart, Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal. The long-stalled FTA negotiations have been revived, which is most welcome." The post sent shockwaves through the political circles, fueling speculation about Tharoor’s political future within the Congress party.
Years of Strained Relations
Tharoor’s post came amid reports of his growing dissatisfaction within the Congress, particularly after he publicly urged Rahul Gandhi to clearly define his role in the party. Sources close to the Congress leadership revealed that Tharoor has been "fed up" with the internal power struggle and is looking for a way out. The development is seen as a major blow to the party’s cohesion, already reeling from a series of internal squabbles and intra-party turf wars.
Tharoor’s Rift with Congress: A Stark Reality
Tharoor, known for his outspoken style, has never minced words in his criticism of the Congress leadership. His bold move of challenging Mallikarjun Kharge, the Gandhi family’s favored candidate, in the party’s presidential election in October 2022, stunned many within the party. Despite receiving minimal support from within the party, Tharoor secured 1,072 votes, a testament to his popularity among the rank and file.
The Birth of the G-23 Group
Tharoor’s association with the G-23 group, a coterie of 23 senior leaders who demanded internal reforms, raised eyebrows within the party. Tharoor, who represents the Thiruvananthapuram seat in the Lok Sabha, had already demonstrated his willingness to take on the party establishment. His open criticism of the Congress leadership and his outspoken demeanor made him a target for the party’s leadership.
Congress Leadership: A Quandary
The Congress leadership, already reeling from internal power struggles and factional feuds, is now grappling with the Tharoor-Goyal tie-up, seen as a major blow to their authority. The party’s leadership is understood to be in a state of panic, trying to decipher the implications of this photo on Tharoor’s political future within the party.
A Safer Bet: BJP or Other Alternatives?
With his publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the Congress, Tharoor’s future within the party seems increasingly uncertain. Rumors of his potential shift to the BJP or other alternative political parties are gaining traction. The photo with Piyush Goyal, a senior BJP leader, adds fuel to the fire, sparking speculation about Tharoor’s potential political future outside the Congress.
As the Congress party grapples with the implications of this photo, only time will tell if Tharoor’s political future lies within the party or if he will opt for alternative avenues. Amid Congress Rift Rumors, Shashi Tharoor’s Photo with Piyush Goyal fuels Speculation about His Political Future.
