NEW DELHI: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has dismissed speculation about his chances of becoming Kerala’s next chief minister, saying he is not even in the race as he is not contesting the upcoming assembly elections.In an interview with PTI, the Thiruvananthapuram MP made it clear that the chief minister should ideally be chosen from among elected MLAs. “I am not a chief ministerial probable,” he said, adding that since he is not contesting, he does not have to focus on a single constituency. Instead, his role will involve campaigning “up and down the length and breadth of the state” for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: US pounds Iranian missile sites near key Strait of Hormuz; Iran rains down cluster bombs on Tel AvivIsrael notified US ahead of strike at world’s largest South Pars gas field; Washington opted out: ReportQatar expels Iranian military, security attachés and staff after strikes on key energy facilitiesReferring to Rahul Gandhi’s recent message to party leaders to “dance together”, Tharoor called it a “good message”, saying unity within the alliance was now visible. He also expressed confidence about the UDF’s prospects, suggesting that a tally between 85 and 100 seats in the 140-member Assembly would be a strong outcome.Using a cricketing analogy, Tharoor said the UDF was bowling “googlies” to the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), arguing that the ruling alliance was on a “sticky wicket”. While he acknowledged that modern elections tend to revolve around projecting a chief ministerial face, he backed the Congress’ traditional approach. “The Congress has never done that,” he said, explaining that the leadership prefers to choose a leader after victory, in consultation with MLAs.At the same time, Tharoor admitted that the absence of a clear face could have drawbacks. “You and I may have a different view… for there to be a situation where you don’t have a visible leader in a state inevitably tends to hurt you,” he said. However, he argued that the Congress’ organisational strength across Kerala allows it to campaign around “an agenda, around a mission and around the party logo”.Tharoor also downplayed the role of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kerala, calling it a marginal player. “It is not a triangular contest, for the BJP is a zero-seat party in the assembly,” he said, adding that even a gain of “one or two or three” seats would be seen as a major success for the party.He insisted the real contest remains between the UDF and the LDF led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. While he noted that polling suggests a tight race, he said the BJP is “not even likely to have a big enough footprint to be a kingmaker”.Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4, in a closely watched battle to unseat the incumbent LDF government.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFighter, Filmmaker Or Facilitator Of Conflict? 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NEW DELHI: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has dismissed speculation about his chances of becoming Kerala’s next chief minister, saying he is not even in the race as he is not contesting the upcoming assembly elections.In an interview with PTI, the Thiruvananthapuram MP made it clear that the chief minister should ideally be chosen from among elected MLAs. “I am not a chief ministerial probable,” he said, adding that since he is not contesting, he does not have to focus on a single constituency. Instead, his role will involve campaigning “up and down the length and breadth of the state” for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: US pounds Iranian missile sites near key Strait of Hormuz; Iran rains down cluster bombs on Tel AvivIsrael notified US ahead of strike at world’s largest South Pars gas field; Washington opted out: ReportQatar expels Iranian military, security attachés and staff after strikes on key energy facilitiesReferring to Rahul Gandhi’s recent message to party leaders to “dance together”, Tharoor called it a “good message”, saying unity within the alliance was now visible. He also expressed confidence about the UDF’s prospects, suggesting that a tally between 85 and 100 seats in the 140-member Assembly would be a strong outcome.Using a cricketing analogy, Tharoor said the UDF was bowling “googlies” to the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), arguing that the ruling alliance was on a “sticky wicket”. While he acknowledged that modern elections tend to revolve around projecting a chief ministerial face, he backed the Congress’ traditional approach. “The Congress has never done that,” he said, explaining that the leadership prefers to choose a leader after victory, in consultation with MLAs.At the same time, Tharoor admitted that the absence of a clear face could have drawbacks. “You and I may have a different view… for there to be a situation where you don’t have a visible leader in a state inevitably tends to hurt you,” he said. However, he argued that the Congress’ organisational strength across Kerala allows it to campaign around “an agenda, around a mission and around the party logo”.Tharoor also downplayed the role of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kerala, calling it a marginal player. “It is not a triangular contest, for the BJP is a zero-seat party in the assembly,” he said, adding that even a gain of “one or two or three” seats would be seen as a major success for the party.He insisted the real contest remains between the UDF and the LDF led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. While he noted that polling suggests a tight race, he said the BJP is “not even likely to have a big enough footprint to be a kingmaker”.Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4, in a closely watched battle to unseat the incumbent LDF government.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosFighter, Filmmaker Or Facilitator Of Conflict? Why Matthew VanDyke Has Raised Many Eyebrows In IndiaIndia May Face Rising Gas Prices And Energy Supply Risks After Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG Hub StrikeIndia Sends More Warships To Escort Ships Through Battle-Hit Strait Of Hormuz“Israel Of The Region” Ex Afghan Minister Slams Pakistan, Urges India To Take Stronger Action’Pak Missiles Could Hit US’: Intel Chief Tulsi Gabbard Flags Nuclear Threat, India Left Off ListIran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani Killed, Foreign Minister Says ‘Won’t Destabilise Tehran’Russia Confirms Jaishankar-Lavrov Phone Call On BRICS Differences Amid Iran War, Middle East Crisis’Just A Pause, I Shall Be Back’: Priyanka Chaturvedi’s Viral Farewell Speech In Rajya Sabha’Hormuz Remains Our Foremost Priority’: PM Modi Speaks To Kuwait’s Crown Prince Amid West Asia WarRussian Oil Tanker Bound for China Makes U-Turn to India as Delhi Steps Up Imports Amid Iran War123PhotostoriesGudi Padwa 2026: 10 traditional dishes prepared on this festival8 legal checks to do before buying property in IndiaDoctors say a simple waist measurement may reveal more about health than weightChaitra Navratri 2026: Your ultimate 9-day colour guide and wardrobe hacksBaby girl names inspired by the divine power of Maa10 stylish English house names based on Vastu that spread positive vibesHow to grow beetroot in containers on a balcony gardenFrom Sikkim to Manipur: India’s most restricted real estate markets where land ownership for ‘non-residents’ is strictly regulatedSay goodbye to lizards: 8 plants that keep your home pest-freeGudi Padwa 2026: Why do Marathi people eat Neem Leaves on the first day of the Hindu New Year123Hot PicksChina oil tankersMPsfarewellIran war newsGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingFortnite chapter 7Jessica PegulaGreen Card HoldersPeter ThielQatar missile fireNSA Doval US envoy talksDeve GowdaRajya Sabha MP farewellChina oil tankersCM Devendra Fadnavis


Is Shashi Tharoor in the race for Kerala CM? Congress MP answers

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has dismissed speculation about his chances of becoming Kerala’s next chief minister, saying he is not even in the race as he is not contesting the upcoming assembly elections.In an interview with PTI, the Thiruvananthapuram MP made it clear that the chief minister should ideally be chosen from among elected MLAs. “I am not a chief ministerial probable,” he said, adding that since he is not contesting, he does not have to focus on a single constituency. Instead, his role will involve campaigning “up and down the length and breadth of the state” for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s recent message to party leaders to “dance together”, Tharoor called it a “good message”, saying unity within the alliance was now visible. He also expressed confidence about the UDF’s prospects, suggesting that a tally between 85 and 100 seats in the 140-member Assembly would be a strong outcome.Using a cricketing analogy, Tharoor said the UDF was bowling “googlies” to the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), arguing that the ruling alliance was on a “sticky wicket”. While he acknowledged that modern elections tend to revolve around projecting a chief ministerial face, he backed the Congress’ traditional approach. “The Congress has never done that,” he said, explaining that the leadership prefers to choose a leader after victory, in consultation with MLAs.At the same time, Tharoor admitted that the absence of a clear face could have drawbacks. “You and I may have a different view… for there to be a situation where you don’t have a visible leader in a state inevitably tends to hurt you,” he said. However, he argued that the Congress’ organisational strength across Kerala allows it to campaign around “an agenda, around a mission and around the party logo”.Tharoor also downplayed the role of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Kerala, calling it a marginal player. “It is not a triangular contest, for the BJP is a zero-seat party in the assembly,” he said, adding that even a gain of “one or two or three” seats would be seen as a major success for the party.He insisted the real contest remains between the UDF and the LDF led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. While he noted that polling suggests a tight race, he said the BJP is “not even likely to have a big enough footprint to be a kingmaker”.Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4, in a closely watched battle to unseat the incumbent LDF government.



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