In this Special Report, Maria Shakeel examines the growing internal friction within the Congress Party in Kerala ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The focus is on Thiruvananthapuram MP Dr Shashi Tharoor, who reportedly skipped a crucial strategy meeting attended by Rahul Gandhi. Maria Shakeel notes: “Tharoor completely skipped the Congress High Command strategy meeting in Kerala, reportedly upset with leaders of both parties over what is seen as a lack of due respect on the part of Rahul Gandhi.” The show features veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who downplays the breakup, claiming that Tharoor had previous engagements at a literary forum. However, the report highlights past instances where Tharoor’s praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and LK Advani led to friction with the party leadership. The discussion, featuring Shehzad Poonawalla and Sanjay Jha, explores whether the Congress can afford to alienate a prominent face like Tharoor as the BJP gains ground in urban Kerala, particularly after its performance in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections.
