Congress Unity Restored: Shashi Tharoor’s Crucial Meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge
New Delhi, January 30, 2026 — In a significant development that has quelled weeks of speculation about internal discord within the Congress party, senior leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor held an extensive meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on January 29, 2026.
The closed-door discussion, which took place in Kharge’s chamber at the Parliament House complex, lasted nearly two hours—reports varying between 90 minutes and about one hour and 45 minutes. It occurred against the backdrop of recent tensions, including Tharoor’s absence from a key All India Congress Committee (AICC) strategy meeting in Kerala and perceived slights at party events, such as limited acknowledgment from Rahul Gandhi during public addresses. These incidents had fueled rumors of a rift, with some even speculating about Tharoor potentially switching parties or feeling sidelined despite his long-standing contributions.
Sources close to the party described the meeting as a “redressal” session aimed at addressing Tharoor’s grievances comprehensively. Rahul Gandhi reportedly took the lead in the conversation, emphasizing Tharoor’s value to the Congress and assuring him that he would be consulted on key decisions, particularly those concerning Kerala. Gandhi stressed the importance of unity among senior leaders and urged Tharoor to actively campaign for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections—a contest where the party seeks to challenge the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) after years in opposition.
Tharoor, in turn, conveyed his concerns, including feelings of inadequate recognition for his work. The presence of Congress general secretary KC Venugopal in some accounts underscored the meeting’s seriousness in bridging any perceived gaps.
Emerging from the discussion, Tharoor spoke positively to reporters and shared his thoughts on social media platform X. “We had a very good, constructive, positive discussion. All is good, and we are moving together on the same page,” he said. In a post, he added: “Thanks to @INCIndia President @kharge ji and LS LoP @RahulGandhi ji for a warm and constructive discussion today on a wide range of subjects. We are all on the same page as we move forward in the service of the people of India.”
He also shared a photograph from the meeting showing the three leaders smiling, further projecting camaraderie.
The interaction has been widely interpreted as a successful effort to present a united front ahead of the Kerala polls and to dispel any notions of deeper divisions or potential exits. Tharoor’s reaffirmation of loyalty, combined with the leadership’s reassurances, signals that the party has moved to close ranks at a critical juncture.
As Congress prepares for upcoming electoral battles, including in Kerala, this meeting appears to have reinforced internal cohesion, with all parties describing the outcome as warm, cordial, and forward-looking.
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