Indian Union Muslim League State President Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal receiving Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor at Panakkad on November 22, 2022. Muslim League national general secretary and MLA PK Kunhalikutty (left) looks on. , Photo Credit: Saqer Hussain
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on 22 November that he did not intend to form another group within the party. According to him, there was no scope for another faction within the Congress apart from the A and I groups and, if one more letter was to be added, it should be U for a united party.
Mr. Tharoor was addressing the media after meeting Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State President Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal at his residence in Panakkad.
Mr Tharoor’s visit to Panakkad during his ongoing Malabar campaign assumes significance, especially as he faces criticism from the state Congress leadership. He was alleged to be spearheading a campaign that could potentially incite factionalism in the party after his recent historic defeat in the race for the post of Congress President.
“Some say it is headed for a split. I have no intention of forming any other group. There is no need for more groups. If another letter is needed, it should be U. We are a united Congress want,” Mr. Tharoor said.
Besides Sadikali Shihab, IUML national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty, MLA, and Muslim Youth League state president Syed Munavvarali Shihab Thangal were among those who welcomed Mr Tharoor in Panakkad.
After holding discussions with Mr. Tharoor, Mr. Kunhalikutty said that he did not talk about Congress politics. He said that IUML is not in the habit of commenting on other parties and their internal affairs. “We discussed general politics,” he said.
Mr. Sadikali Shihab praised the campaigning skills of Mr. Tharoor. “He is a leader whose focus is not limited to Thiruvananthapuram only. He is a good campaigner,” said the IUML leader.
After his Panakkad meeting, Mr. Tharoor left for Malappuram, where he was warmly received at the District Congress Committee (DCC) office. DCC President VS Joy was among the party leaders who welcomed Mr. Tharoor.