Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on November 22 that he did not intend to create one more group within the party. According to him, there was no scope for one more faction apart from A and I groups within the Congress and, if at all one more letter had to be added, it should be U for a united party.
Mr. Tharoor was addressing the media after visiting Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal at his house at Panakkad.
Mr. Tharoor’s visit to Panakkad during his ongoing Malabar campaign assumed significance, especially when he faced criticism from the Congress’s State leadership. He was alleged to have been spearheading a campaign that could potentially foment factionalism in the party after his recent historic loss in the Congress presidential race.
“Some say it is leading to a division. I do not have any intentions to form another group. There is no need for any more groups. If at all one more letter is needed, it should be U. We want a united Congress,” Mr. Tharoor said.
Apart from Mr. Sadikali Shihab, IUML national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty, MLA, and Muslim Youth League State president Syed Munawwarali Shihab Thangal were among those who received Mr. Tharoor at Panakkad.
After holding discussions with Mr. Tharoor, Mr. Kunhalikutty said that they did not talk about the Congress politics. He said the IUML was not in the habit of commenting on other parties and their internal matters. “We discussed general politics,” he said.
Mr. Sadikali Shihab praised Mr. Tharoor for his campaign skills. “He is a leader whose focus does not limit to Thiruvananthapuram alone. He is a good campaigner,” said the IUML leader.
After his Panakkad meeting, Mr. Tharoor proceeded to Malappuram, where he was accorded a warm reception at the District Congress Committee (DCC) office. DCC president V.S. Joy was among the party leaders who received Mr. Tharoor.
