No Shashi Tharoor on Kerala bypoll campaign trail? His 'no missed call' response
Senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor said on Thursday he did not campaign for the Nilambur bypoll in Kerala because the party leadership never invited him to do so.At the same time, he downplayed speculation of a rift with the Congress brass while acknowledging "some differences", coming off the back of a five-nation diplomatic outreach during which his remarks left some party leaders peeved.advertisement'I wasn't invited by the party. But that's alright,' Tharoor told reporters, responding to a question about his absence from the campaign trail in Nilambur. Voting for the crucial byelection is underway there today.
'First of all, I was gone for much of the time on this official diplomatic mission. When I came back there was no insistence, no missed call from the leadership saying I should come,' he said with an enigmatic smile. So he used the time to honour prior commitments, including chairing a committee meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs in Delhi.'Now I've come to Kerala. Today is voting day and I've been urging everyone to vote for my party's candidate. He is a good candidate,' he said.Tharoor rejected suggestions that his absence signalled a rift with the party leadership or cadre. He stated that Congress workers, including those from his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, had been toiling hard on the campaign.advertisement'My close relations with party workers have seen me through four elections in my own constituencies,' he added. 'Congress party workers have been by my side everywhere.'Tharoor, who has been with the Congress for 16 years and won four consecutive elections from Thiruvananthapuram, said there are occasional differences with the party brass, but these issues should be resolved internally. He asserted that he remained committed to the party's values. 'Values of the institution of the Congress party are the institutional values that have kept me in the party,' he said. 'Yes, there may have been differences with the party leadership on some issues. Those can be sorted out in closed-door conversations and I don't see any reason to discuss them now.'Tharoor recently returned from a diplomatic mission, where he led an all-party delegation to the US and four other countries to communicate India's stance following Operation Sindoor, which was in response to the Pahalgam attack carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists.His appointment by the government to the delegation and some of his remarks during the tour, including praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drew criticism from sections of the Congress. Tharoor also came under fire from party colleagues for not highlighting the surgical strikes carried out during the UPA era, while praising the Modi government's handling of the situation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
5 Assembly bypolls: High voter turnout in Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Kerala
Kaliganj Assembly bypoll in WB's Nadia. (PTI) Bypolls conducted across five Assembly segments in Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat and Kerala on Thursday recorded high percentages of voter turnouts. Kaliganj in West Bengal - 69.85% polling by 5 pm Visavadar in Gujarat - 54.61% by 5pm Kadi in Gujarat - 54.49% by 5 pm Nilambur in Kerala - 59.68% by 3 pm Ludhiana West in Punjab - 49.07% by 5 pm The electoral process, which began at 7 am and ended at 6 pm, remained predominantly peaceful, barring a few isolated incidents, according to officials. The bypolls were required in Gujarat, West Bengal and Punjab due to the passing of sitting MLAs, whilst in Kerala and another Gujarat seat, the elections were prompted by legislative resignations. Results are scheduled for June 23. Kaliganj "Polling in Kaliganj has been peaceful. There was no report of any incident from anywhere in and around the constituency. Till 5 pm, the polling was 69.85%," an election official told PTI. The vacancy arose following TMC MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed's death in February. The TMC selected his daughter, Alifa Ahamed, as their candidate. BJP nominated Ashis Ghosh, whilst Congress fielded Kabil Uddin Shaikh, supported by the CPI(M). To ensure fair elections, fourteen central force companies were stationed throughout the constituency. Several polling stations reported minor disturbances. At booth 56 in Chandghar Adarsha Vidyapith, Congress officials claimed their polling agent was forcibly removed by TMC workers, which the ruling party denied. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Electoral officials confirmed no rule violations but requested a district magistrate report regarding the incident. EC officials removed party symbols within 100 metres of polling stations. Mobile phones were prohibited inside voting areas, with designated storage spots supervised by EC-appointed volunteers. Nilambur The constituency's 263 polling stations saw substantial participation from its 2.32 lakh registered voters. The main contestants among ten candidates include LDF's M Swaraj, UDF's Aryadan Shoukath, independent candidate P V Anvar (TMC state convenor), and NDA's Mohan George. Anvar, whose resignation necessitated the bypoll, discussed constituency developments during his tenure. He noted that wildlife conflicts weren't addressed by any front - UDF, LDF or NDA - during campaigning. Anvar resigned following allegations against chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and associates, subsequently becoming TMC state convenor. Gujarat's Visavadar and Kadi BJP, Congress and AAP contested both seats. Visavadar became vacant in December 2023 after AAP legislator Bhupendra Bhayani joined BJP. The Kadi seat, reserved for SC candidates, was vacated following BJP MLA Karsan Solanki's death on February 4. AAP fielded former Gujarat president Gopal Italia, who isn't registered locally. BJP hasn't won Visavadar since 2007 despite dominating Gujarat. Bhayani defeated BJP's Harshad Ribadiya by 7,063 votes in 2022. BJP nominated Rajendra Chavda for Kadi, while Congress selected former MLA Ramesh Chavda. Chavda won in 2012 but lost to BJP's Karsanbhai Solanki in 2017. AAP's Jagdish Chavda makes it a three-way contest. Gujarat's 182-member Assembly comprises 161 BJP, 12 Congress, 4 AAP legislators, one SP member and two independents. Ludhiana West The seat became vacant after AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi's death in January. AAP's Sanjeev Arora voted with family after visiting religious sites. Congress's Bharat Bhushan Ashu, BJP's Jiwan Gupta and SAD's Parupkar Singh Ghuman cast their votes. EC implemented webcasting at 1,353 of 1,354 polling stations.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Gaza rescuers say Israeli fire kills 72
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli forces killed at least 72 people on Thursday, including 21 who had gathered near aid distribution sites as famine looms after more than 20 months of defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that six people were killed while waiting for aid in the southern Gaza Strip and 15 others in a central area known as the Netzarim corridor , where thousands of Palestinians have gathered daily in the hope of receiving food Israeli army told AFP that its troops in Netzarim corridor -- a strip of land militarised by Israel that bisects the Palestinian territory -- had fired "warning shots" at "suspects" approaching them, but that it was "not aware of any injured individuals".The army did not comment on the incident reported in the northern Gaza, Bassal said that nine separate Israeli strikes killed another 51 people, updating earlier tolls provided by his Abu Shaar, who witnessed the shooting incident in the Netzarim area, said thousands of people had gathered there overnight in the hope of receiving aid at the US- and Israeli-backed distribution site when it opened in the morning."Around 1:00 am (2200 GMT Wednesday), they started shooting at us," he told AFP by phone, reporting gunfire, tank shelling and bombs dropped by Shaar said that the size of the crowd had made it impossible for people to escape, with casualties left lying on the ground within walking distance of the distribution point, which is run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation."We couldn't help them or even escape ourselves," he least 300 Palestinians have been killed in recent weeks while trying to reach aid distribution points in Gaza, which is suffering from famine-like conditions, the Hamas-run territory's health ministry has restrictions on media in the Gaza Strip and difficulties in accessing some areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by rescuers and authorities in the Palestinian early March, Israel imposed an aid blockade on Gaza amid a deadlock in truce negotiations, only partially easing restrictions in late Israel loosened its blockade, the privately run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began distributing aid, but its operations have been marred by chaotic agencies and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the foundation -- which has the support of Israel and its ally the United States -- over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Bypolls For 5 Seats In 4 States Largely Peaceful, High Turnout In Bengal
Ludhiana: Bypolls were held in five Assembly segments across Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat and Kerala on Thursday, with the Kaliganj seat in West Bengal registering a polling percentage of nearly 70 by 5 pm. The polling that commenced at 7 am and concluded at 6 pm was largely peaceful, with the exception of a few isolated incidents, officials said. While the deaths of the incumbent MLAs necessitated the bypolls in one seat each in Gujarat, West Bengal and Punjab, the resignation of two legislators led to the polling in Kerala and another seat in Gujarat. At Kaliganj in West Bengal's Nadia district, a voter turnout of 69.85 per cent was recorded till 5 pm. "Polling has been peaceful. There was no report of any incident from anywhere in and around the constituency. Till 5 pm, the polling was 69.85 per cent," an election official told PTI. Sources said the polling percentage may go further up as there were queues outside polling booths. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed in February. His daughter, Alifa Ahamed, was fielded in the bypoll by the ruling TMC. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominated Ashis Ghosh for the contest, while Congress candidate Kabil Uddin Shaikh is in the fray with the support of the CPI(M). Fourteen companies of central forces were deployed across the constituency to ensure free-and-fair polling. Minor tension was reported from a few booths. At Chandghar Adarsha Vidyapith's booth number 56, the Congress alleged that its polling agent was forcibly removed by TMC workers, an allegation denied by the ruling party. Ghosh, after casting his vote, expressed confidence of victory. However, he objected to the polling procedure, alleging that officials deliberately applied the indelible ink on his middle finger instead of the index finger under the "insistence" of TMC agents. "First, they missed putting the ink on my finger when I went to vote. Then, after I noticed it and returned, they deliberately marked my middle finger. This is a pre-planned political conspiracy by the TMC," the BJP candidate alleged. Poll officials confirmed that no rules were violated but said they have sought a report from the district magistrate regarding the incident. Election Commission (EC) officials removed party flags and festoons found within 100 metres of several polling booths. Voters were not allowed to carry mobile phones inside polling stations and were instructed to deposit the devices at designated spots under the supervision of EC-appointed volunteers. Kerala's Nilambur constituency saw a steady voter turnout of 59.68 per cent till 3 pm. People came out in good numbers at the 263 polling booths across the constituency, which has over 2.32 lakh voters. Among the 10 contestants, the key contenders are ruling LDF's pick M Swaraj, Aryadan Shoukath (of the Congress-led UDF), TMC state convenor and independent candidate P V Anvar and Mohan George of the BJP-led NDA. The UDF candidate expressed confidence about winning by a huge margin. Swaraj was also confident of securing a win. Anvar, whose resignation as the MLA from Nilambur necessitated the bypoll, told reporters about the developments carried out in the constituency when he was representing it. He also claimed that neither of the three fronts -- UDF, LDF and NDA -- discussed local issues like wild-animal attacks during their campaigns. He was also confident that he would get a good share of the UDF and LDF votes. Anvar, presently the state convener of the TMC, resigned as the MLA of the constituency following his severing of ties with the CPI(M)-led LDF over certain allegations levelled by him against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his close aides. In Gujarat, the Visavadar seat in Junagadh district recorded a poll percentage of 54.61 and Kadi in Mehsana district saw a voter turnout of 54.49 per cent till 5 pm. The state government declared a public holiday on Thursday in both the constituencies. The BJP, Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) fielded their candidates in the two seats. The Visavadar seat was lying vacant since December 2023, after the then AAP legislator Bhupendra Bhayani resigned and joined the ruling BJP. The Kadi seat, reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates, fell vacant on February 4 following the death of BJP MLA Karsan Solanki. In the Visavadar seat, BJP candidate Kirit Patel and Congress nominee Nitin Ranpariya cast their votes in the early hours. The AAP fielded its former Gujarat president, Gopal Italia, from Visavadar. He is not registered as a voter in the constituency. Despite its near-total dominance in the state, the BJP has not won the Visavadar seat since 2007. Party leaders are hopeful this time of overcoming the 18-year jinx. In the 2022 Assembly polls, Bhayani defeated BJP's Harshad Ribadiya, a Congress turncoat and former MLA, by 7,063 votes. The BJP has fielded Rajendra Chavda from Kadi, while the Congress has given ticket to former MLA Ramesh Chavda. Chavda won the seat in 2012, but lost it to the BJP's Karsanbhai Solanki in 2017. Like Visavadar, Kadi will also witness a three-way fight, with the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP fielding Jagdish Chavda. In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the BJP has 161 legislators, the Congress 12 and the AAP four. While one seat is with the Samajwadi Party, two are with independents. Punjab saw a voter turnout of 49.07 per cent till 3 pm in the Ludhiana West seat. The seat fell vacant following the death of AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi in January. AAP candidate Sanjeev Arora went to a polling station along with his family members to exercise his franchise. Before casting his vote, Arora paid obeisance at a gurdwara, a temple and the Dargah Pir in Phillaur. Talking to reporters, Arora appealed to people to come out in large numbers to cast their votes. "Please come out to vote and have maximum voting today," he said. Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu, BJP nominee Jiwan Gupta and Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) Parupkar Singh Ghuman also cast their votes. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann appealed to voters to cast their votes. "My appeal to the voters of Ludhiana West is that you must exercise your right to vote. You must fulfil your duty for the development and progress of your area. Do not consider today a holiday, definitely go and cast your vote," Mann said in a post in Punjabi on X. The EC said webcasting was done at all but one polling station of the five seats. A total of 1,354 polling stations were set up for the bypolls and webcasting was held at 1,353, the poll authority said. This was also the first time that the EC provided a mobile-phone deposit facility to voters. The deposit centres were set up outside polling stations. So far, no such facility was available and some voters hid phones in their clothes and carried those inside polling stations, which is against rules. The bypoll results will be declared on June 23.
