New Delhi: Amid speculation about his ties with the Congress party, senior leader Shashi Tharoor met with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi for a 90-minute discussion at Parliament House on Thursday. Tharoor described the meeting as “very good, constructive, positive,” adding that “all is good, and we are moving together on the same page.”

The meeting came after Tharoor had skipped several top-level Congress strategy meetings, including discussions ahead of the upcoming elections in his home state of Kerala. Sources told NDTV that Tharoor used the session to express his views and concerns, which the party intends to address ahead of the elections. The meeting aimed to reaffirm his alignment with the party amidst rumors of a potential shift to the BJP.

Tharoor’s relationship with the Congress has been tense since April last year, following his remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s handling of the Pahalgam terror attack, which drew criticism from party leaders. The strain was compounded by his participation in events where the Prime Minister spoke and by articles critiquing family-led parties, including the Congress, leading to occasional public friction with party loyalists.

Despite these incidents, Tharoor has consistently maintained that his comments were motivated by national interest rather than political allegiance. He has repeatedly clarified that his intention was to promote national unity and constructive discourse, not to signal a shift away from Congress. His long-standing loyalty to the party and its ideology for over 16 years remains a key aspect of his political identity.

Tharoor’s recent meeting with Gandhi and Kharge underscores a mutual commitment to move forward together as the party prepares for the elections. Party sources indicated that the session focused on bridging gaps, addressing grievances, and ensuring that Tharoor remains an active and engaged participant in Congress’s electoral strategy and decision-making processes.