Following Congress’ resurgence in the 2024 national elections, the party has struggled to gain momentum in Kerala’s state elections. Tharoor, a prominent leader from the state, has argued that Congress must broaden its voter base if it wants to return to power.

"The Congress cannot win elections solely based on its committed supporters. At the national level, our vote share was around 19%. If we want to form the government, we need an additional 26-27%," Tharoor emphasized. He pointed out that he has gained support even from those who traditionally opposed Congress due to his ability to connect with voters.

Tharoor’s recent praise of the LDF’s governance, particularly in economic management, was published in a newspaper article and sparked a wave of criticism from Congress members in Kerala. While the ruling Left welcomed his statements, Congress leaders accused him of undermining party unity.

He later clarified that his comments were meant to highlight Kerala’s progress in the startup sector rather than endorse the opposition’s overall governance. However, a regional Congress mouthpiece harshly criticized him, alleging that the LDF had turned Kerala into a "graveyard" and that his remarks were "suicidal" for the party.

This is not the first time Tharoor has faced scrutiny for his remarks. He previously drew flak for praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic engagement with former U.S. President Donald Trump, defending his stance by stating that he was speaking in India's best interest rather than strictly following party lines.

"Politicians cannot always speak only in terms of party interest," he asserted, reinforcing his independent approach to political discourse.

"If the party wants me, I will be there for it. If not, I have my own things to do. I have options. I have my books, speeches, and invitations from across the world for talks," he stated, hinting at his ability to navigate a career beyond party politics.

Despite the internal controversy, Tharoor remains a significant figure within Congress and Kerala’s political landscape. His recent appearance on The Indian Express' Malayalam-language podcast Varthamanam is expected to further shed light on his perspectives, particularly his concerns about the absence of strong Congress leadership in Kerala. With state elections looming, the Congress party now faces the challenge of balancing internal unity while addressing the concerns raised by Tharoor. Whether his remarks lead to a shift in Congress' approach in Kerala or deepen the internal divide remains to be seen.