Shashi Tharoor is shifting his focus back to the ground in Kerala, announcing on Sunday that the United Democratic Front (UDF) is drafting a comprehensive vision document to spearhead its assembly election campaign. Speaking from the party's headquarters in Delhi, Tharoor emphasised that the UDF’s pitch will centre on creating a "prosperous Kerala" through growth-oriented policies and experienced governance.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP didn't pull any punches when discussing his rivals. He argued that the ruling LDF has burned through the public's trust with a string of corruption scandals, while dismissing the BJP as a purely communal force. "We know how to govern— we’ve done it at the Centre and in the state," Tharoor said, positioning the Congress-led alliance as the only stable, non-sectarian alternative for voters.
This move toward a unified campaign comes just a week after Tharoor held "clear the air" meetings with Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. After feeling sidelined at a recent event in Kochi, Tharoor seems to have patched things up with the high command, insisting that everyone is now "on the same page" for the upcoming battle.
As for the Union Budget presented earlier that day, Tharoor was distinctly unimpressed. While he’s waiting to dig into the fine print, he noted that there was very little in Nirmala Sitharaman’s speech to make a Keralite smile. The state was mentioned only twice in the 90-minute address: once regarding a "Rare Earth Corridor" for mining and processing, and again for the development of "Turtle Trails" along coastal nesting sites.
For a state heading into a high-stakes election where the LDF is eyeing a historic third term and the BJP is desperate to make inroads, the lack of major central investment was noticeable. Tharoor’s message was clear: if Kerala wants real development, it shouldn't look to the Centre’s budget or the current state leadership, but to the UDF's forthcoming roadmap.
Also read: After 250 years, Kerala Kumbh Mela returns ahead of polls
Follow us
