Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, reportedly being “sidelined” by the Congress over his praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kerala government’s policies, put up a cryptic post on X Saturday, stating, that being wise is sometimes a mistake.
Sharing a quote from English poet Thomas Gray’s poem ‘Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College’, Tharoor wrote, “Though of the Day: “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.”
The post comes amid buzz of a rift between him and the Congress.
According to a report, Tharoor is “unhappy” after his recent meeting with Rahul Gandhi failed to address his concerns over his role in the party.
Thought for the day! pic.twitter.com/hXDxn9p0rv
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 22, 2025
During their meeting in Delhi a couple of days ago, Tharoor expressed “deep dissatisfaction” over being sidelined within the party. The Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram also protested over the way he was being denied opportunities to participate during major debates inside the Parliament, Times of India reported.
Tharoor also told Rahul that he was capable of handling the party’s leadership in the Parliament. Tharoor also wanted to know from Rahul whether the party wants him to focus on state politics but Rahul was not ready to give a reply. Tharoor wanted to know if AICC had any plans to name him the Chief Minister of Kerala. Adding to his discontent is his abrupt removal from the charge of the All India Professional Congress, which he had formed.
As per TOI report, Rahul made it clear that the Congress does not have the tradition of picking a chief ministerial candidate before polls. It is learnt that Rahul was not ready to make a commitment on any of his grievances or suggestions.
Following his praise for Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to the US, the Congress leader, in an article, praised the industrial growth under LDF government – the political rival of Congress in Kerala – had created unrest within the party in the coastal state. The Left party welcomed the Congress MP’s validation, terming Tharoor’s comments as recognition of Pinarayi Vijayan’s administration’s achievements.
“As a Member of Parliament from Kerala, I wrote this article focusing on a specific issue — the transformation of the industrial landscape through the growth of the startup sector. As a Congress worker, I take pride in acknowledging that it was former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who initiated this change,” he wrote in Malayalam.
He credited Chandy’s policies for laying the foundation for Kerala’s startup ecosystem, citing initiatives like the ‘Startup Village’ and the ‘Kerala Startup Mission’, which have been continued by the current government.
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In his political career post-UN phase, Tharoor has sought “honourable roles” to contribute meaningfully to his party and country. But now, the AICC appears unwilling to adopt a diplomatic stance toward the three-time Congress MP.
His removal from AIPC – the organisation played a crucial role for Tharoor to earn a decent number of votes when he fought for the Congress President post against the Gandhi family loyalist Mallikarjun Kharge – has deeply upsetted Tharoor.