A political controversy erupted in Kerala after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, in an article for an English daily, praised the state’s entrepreneurial growth under the LDF government. While the CPI(M) welcomed his remarks, Congress leaders raised concerns over the accuracy of his claims. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan and Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal questioned the basis of Tharoor’s statements, prompting him to clarify that his article was based on verifiable data, including reports on Kerala’s startup ecosystem and industrial performance. In contrast, CPI(M) leaders, including State Industries Minister P. Rajeeve and State Secretary M.V. Govindan, defended Tharoor, asserting that his observations were factually grounded.
As the internal rift in Congress deepened, some party leaders suggested Tharoor should step down from the Congress Working Committee if he wished to express such views. Meanwhile, CPI(M) leaders leveraged Tharoor’s remarks to escalate tensions within the UDF. Responding to criticism, Tharoor reiterated that he has always spoken against any government when necessary and, by the same principle, acknowledged positive developments. He emphasized Kerala’s improved ease of doing business ranking and argued that political differences should not hinder recognizing progress in investment and development. He called for a bipartisan approach to fostering economic growth in the state.
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