Kerala local body poll results: Cong-led UDF suffers defeat in Shashi Tharoor's constituency Thiruvanthapuram? Is a new political game being set up for 2026 Kerala elections?
Thiruvananthapuram: The results of the Kerala local body elections have brought both joy and sorrow for the Congress party. While the Congress-led UDF has gained ground across the state, party veteran Shashi Tharoor has suffered a major setback in his own constituency. Congress faced defeat in Thiruvananthapuram, which is Tharoor's Lok Sabha constituency. This defeat has not only raised questions about Tharoor's political standing but has also fueled the ongoing tension between him and the party high command.
Will Cong take any strict action against Tharoor
Political circles are abuzz with speculation that if Congress takes any strict action against Tharoor after this defeat, it could be exactly what he wants. Tharoor's rebellious attitude has been no secret for quite some time. Whether it's making statements in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or distancing himself from Rahul Gandhi's meetings, Tharoor has consistently been giving signals that he is keeping his options open. This BJP victory in the local elections is considered a significant indicator for him and is being linked to his future.
A lifeline for BJP state president
The BJP's victory in Thiruvananthapuram is nothing short of a lifeline for BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekharan. This win has largely mitigated the pain of the defeat he suffered at the hands of Tharoor in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Meanwhile, the announcement of awarding Tharoor the Veer Savarkar award just before the elections had also raised the political temperature. Although Tharoor did not accept it, experts believe that this incident definitely sent a specific message to the voters in his constituency. Tharoor's changing stance and this BJP victory are telling a new story.
Is a new political game being set up for 2026?
Is a new political game being set up for 2026? Shashi Tharoor is well aware that he is playing with fire by deviating from the party line. His ambitions now extend to playing a larger role in state politics, but his poor performance in his own parliamentary constituency has made his path difficult. There is speculation that if the Congress party expels him, he might resign, triggering a by-election. Analysts believe that in such a scenario, Tharoor could negotiate with the BJP for a Lok Sabha or a 2026 assembly election ticket, which would completely alter the political landscape of Kerala.
Prakash Kumar Pandey