- January 23, 2026
Shashi Tharoor Set To Skip Congress High Command Meet After Kochi Event Snub: Sources
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Shashi Tharoor will skip a Congress high-command meeting in Delhi over dissatisfaction with state and central leaders, sources have said.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor | File Image
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor will not attend the meeting convened by the party high command in Delhi to discuss election preparations, party sources confirmed, amid reported dissatisfaction with both the state and central leadership.
Sources said Tharoor was upset over developments at the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) ‘Maha Panchayath’ held in Kochi on January 19, where Rahul Gandhi addressed party workers.
According to sources close to Tharoor, the seating arrangement on the dais at the event did not adhere to established party protocol.
Despite being a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), he was allegedly seated at the far end of the stage.
The sources further claimed that Tharoor had been informed in advance that only Rahul Gandhi would speak at length and that other leaders were expected to conclude their remarks early.
Acting on that understanding, Tharoor reportedly tailored his address accordingly. However, several other leaders later spoke at the event, which is said to have added to his displeasure.
In addition, Rahul Gandhi, during his speech at the gathering, mentioned several leaders by name, but did not refer to Tharoor, which upset the senior Congress leader, it was known.
Meanwhile, the Congress high command has made it clear that indiscipline and public airing of party issues would not be tolerated.
The directions were issued after a meeting of senior party leaders at the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, chaired by him and attended by Rahul Gandhi, general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, general secretary in charge of Punjab Bhupesh Baghel, senior leader Ambika Soni and others.
Venugopal later told reporters that leaders had been asked to maintain complete discipline and avoid making statements in the media or on social media on internal matters, which should be raised only on party platforms.
Clear directions have been issued to refrain from such statements, he added.
January 23, 2026, 10:29 IST
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