The Shashi Tharoor controversy explained | Powertrip #91

Welcome to this week’s Powertrip, a political newsletter exclusively curated for TNM and NL subscribers by Dhanya Rajendran, Shabbir Ahmed, and Pooja Prasanna. This week, we bring you the lowdown on the Shashi Tharoor controversy that erupted after his “other options” remark. With Siddaramaiah reaching his half-term as Karnataka CM later this year, we tell you what’s behind his carefully maintained truce with DKS. For Prashant Kishor, the Bihar Assembly elections is a high stakes gamble that could decide both his future as a politician and his credibility as an election strategist..Inside TrackExclusive stories, for your eyes only.The Shashi Tharoor controversy explainedThiruvananthapuram MP and Congress leader Shashi Tharoor is in the news after an interview to the Indian Express’ Malayalam podcast. Speaking candidly about his ambitions, Tharoor asserted that the Congress cannot win the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections unless it expands its appeal beyond its traditional voter base. He acknowledged that he is someone who could attract such voters and expressed willingness to work with the party on this.However, things took a turn when Tharoor remarked that if the party did not need his help, he had “other options”. While he said in the very next line that these options included writing books, conducting research, and accepting global speaking invitations, news reports the next day focused on one angle – Tharoor exploring other ‘political options.’People close to Tharoor said he was upset that his words were twisted to suggest he was on the verge of leaving the Congress. BJP leaders also jumped in, with Amit Malviya claiming that Tharoor’s marginalisation in the party was unsurprising given that he contested against Mallikarjun Kharge for the Congress president’s post. To break the controversy down for readers of Powertrip, we spoke to multiple sources in both Delhi and Kerala.While Tharoor may not be planning to leave the party, two things are clear – he is unhappy with his role in the Congress and has positioned himself as a chief ministerial contender. Kerala already has a crowded field of leaders vying for the post if the Congress manages to unseat the CPI(M) in 2026. This includes Opposition leader VD Satheesan, former Kerala party chief Ramesh Chennithala, and current chief K Sudhakaran. Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, who is close to Rahul Gandhi, is also expected to join the race.All four are united on one front – they do not want Tharoor as a contender. A recent article by Tharoor praising industrialisation in Kerala was used by these leaders to accuse him of being in cahoots with the CPI(M).Tharoor has been frustrated with the party for some time. The Kerala leadership has kept him at arm’s length from state politics, and he believes he is also sidelined in Parliament, where he is rarely allowed to lead debates. Some Congress leaders we spoke to said that at one point he had considered floating a new party and seeking support from groups like AAP. But those options never materialised, and he is now making a final push to establish himself as a leader in Kerala.Tharoor does have some backing, with leaders like Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden and Kozhikode MP MK Raghavan in his corner. Some believe he can attract a non-Congress voter base and that the party should utilise him better. However, if a serious split emerges, most of his supporters will ultimately fall in line with the high command. Unlike the other four contenders, Tharoor also lacks strong backing from district units.Now, the final question – does the Congress high command, particularly the Gandhis, trust Tharoor? The answers we got were mixed. Some pointed out that he has held key roles, including heading important parliamentary committees and has been member of the Congress Working Committee, the party’s highest decision-making body. “Even Ramesh Chennithala is only a permanent invitee, not a full member,” one leader noted. But others confirmed that there is a trust deficit, worsened by certain individuals who have persistently complained to Rahul Gandhi about Tharoor.One sticking point appears to be Gautam Adani. While Rahul Gandhi has aggressively taken on Adani, Tharoor has been seen as supportive of the Adani Group, particularly regarding the controversial Vizhinjam port project in Kerala.And finally, we have also been told that after his article on Kerala’s industrialisation caused a major row, Tharoor met Rahul Gandhi. Rahul was apparently amicable and assured Tharoor that he will look at how he can be accommodated better. But eventually if Tharoor’s ambitions of being the Congress’ CM face does not materialise, then what options will he consider?.The silent truce between Siddaramaiah and DK ShivakumarWhile no Congress leader has officially acknowledged a power-sharing deal between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, it has long been an open secret in Karnataka. With Siddaramaiah’s two-and-a-half-year term ending later this year, the moment of handover is fast approaching. Unsurprisingly, leaders from both camps have begun making calculated statements, each trying to stake their claim. Yet, Siddaramaiah and DKS have maintained an outwardly cordial relationship – even behind closed doors. A minister told TNM that neither has attempted to sabotage the other’s pet projects, signalling a carefully maintained truce.But what’s really keeping the peace? For one, Siddaramaiah appears to be in semi-retirement mode, showing little interest in extending his political innings. On the other hand, DKS has no choice but to bide his time. With his Vokkaliga rival, HD Kumaraswamy, working with the BJP, he lacks the leverage to strong-arm the Congress high command by threatening to join the BJP. A source in the DKS camp told us that they believe Siddaramaiah himself will not create any trouble and hand over the mantle to DKS, but those around him will not agree. They will insist that Siddaramaiah stays on, and if not they are likely to project another name as the contender.That said, the leadership transition may not be an easy call for the Congress brass. With over eight months still to go, they are watching to see if the legal troubles surrounding Siddaramaiah or DKS will eliminate one of them from the race. Until then, the balancing act continues..Prashant Kishor’s political gambleThe man who has masterminded countless election victories is facing his own electoral challenge. Prashant Kishor, the strategist-turned-politician, has announced his intention to contest the upcoming elections in Bihar under his Jan Suraaj movement. But, according to sources close to him, the path ahead is far from straightforward.For PK, this election isn’t just about winning a seat – it’s a high stakes test that could determine both his future as a politician and his credibility as an election strategist. If he fails to steer his own party to some kind of victory, his value among political heavyweights could plummet. With this looming risk, whispers in political circles suggest that he may already be considering an exit strategy before the Bihar Assembly polls.Behind the scenes, PK is said to have reached out to both the BJP and the Congress for a possible alliance, but those talks haven’t gained traction. This leaves him with limited options: either sit out the elections entirely or merge Jan Suraaj with another party, effectively shifting the blame if things go south. If he chooses the first route, he might still field over a dozen strong candidates – many with IAS backgrounds – while staying out of the fray himself, a strategic move to save face.Despite his confident public appearances, the road ahead for PK looks anything but smooth. Whether he emerges as a formidable political force or retreats to the drawing board as a strategist once more, one thing is certain – his next move will define his career..Zero HourA political story of public importance.‘Prove we are Bangladeshi’: Assam families protest Supreme Court’s deportation push.Scroll tracked down relatives of seven of the 63 people that the court wants expelled. All contested Assam government’s claim that they are from Bangladesh..PowermovesTop 5 political stories1. Adani solar deal: AP regulator gives nod to buy power, YSRCP claims it clears Jagan2. Delayed pay, lack of retirement benefits drive ASHA workers to strike again in Kerala3. ‘Even god can’t fix it’: DK Shivakumar’s Bengaluru traffic remark triggers political backlash4. Samsung workers’ strike: TN ministers to lead talks between management and CITU5. Congress demands judicial probe into murder of Telangana activist who took on KCR

The Shashi Tharoor controversy explained | Powertrip #91

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