Just hours before counting day in Kerala, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was asked the question doing the rounds – could he be the next chief minister?
“I know exactly what you’re trying to get me to say. I’m not saying any of that,” Tharoor said, sidestepping speculation while outlining how the Congress picks its leader.
Tharoor pointed to the party’s established process after election results.
“We have a standard practice in the Congress Party. After the election results, the victorious MLAs will be met by an envoy or representative of the president of the party,” he said.
“That person will get the sense of what the MLAs want the high command will take that into account and make a final decision. Thereafter, they are not bound by any rules or limits. They can choose anything that they want.”
UDF EYES COMEBACK AFTER A DECADE
The Thiruvananthapuram MP expressed confidence that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) will return to power after 10 years.
“I was very confident we are going to win we are going to score a comfortable win of above 75 seats,” he said, referring to the 140-member Assembly.
Several exit polls have predicted a UDF victory, potentially unseating the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF).
‘LDF MAY BE OUT OF POWER NATIONWIDE’
Tharoor suggested the results could have wider political significance beyond Kerala.
“It will be the first time that the LDF is not in power anywhere in the country that will be a major development,” he said.
While exit polls back the UDF, Tharoor said he remains cautious about their accuracy.
“We have to take into account gender, caste, class and regional disparities you never get a convincingly large enough sample,” he said.
Referring to reports from West Bengal, he added, “One polling company has said 60 per cent of people refused to answer. So, what is the worth of a poll where 60 per cent of your respondents have not answered?”
Polling for the Kerala Assembly was held on April 9, with results set to be declared on May 4 alongside other key states.
As the numbers come in, the question Tharoor avoided may return, but for now, he has made it clear that the final call rests with the party leadership.
Elections 2026 | Kerala Election | Kerala Election Constituencies | Kerala Election Schedule
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