Congress leaders in Kerala have distanced themselves from MP Shashi Tharoor’s sharp criticism of the Emergency period, leaving it to the party’s central leadership to address the controversy. Tharoor, in a strongly worded article published online, described the 1975–77 Emergency as a “dark period” in India’s democracy. He accused former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of authoritarianism and criticised her son Sanjay Gandhi for violent excesses and forced sterilisation campaigns during the period. Tharoor argued that the Emergency severely damaged India’s core democratic values of equality, liberty, and fraternity.
Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan acknowledged reading the article but refrained from making a public comment. "As a member of the Congress Working Committee, it is the responsibility of the central leadership to respond. I have my own opinions on the matter, and if necessary, I will communicate them directly to the high command," Satheesan said in Kochi.
UDF convenor Adoor Prakash struck a similar tone, urging leaders to act responsibly within the party framework. “This is for the AICC to address. Leaders should show restraint and remain mindful of their duties,” he said.
Former MP K Muraleedharan responded bluntly but avoided elaborating: “He should reflect on which party he belongs to. I’m not interested in such controversies. Our focus is on Kerala.”
State Congress president Sunny Joseph also refused to engage in the debate, stating briefly, “The central leadership should respond.”
This is not the first instance where Tharoor’s remarks have unsettled the Congress leadership.His past remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and supporting India’s military action after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack during a speech in New York had similarly stirred discontent.
Though the Kerala leadership wants to avoid a direct confrontation, party insiders acknowledge that Tharoor’s outspoken remarks have created discomfort among grassroots workers.It is now up to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to decide whether to tolerate such independent views or to hold Tharoor accountable.
