Tharoor’s meeting with Rahul and Kharge (

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday dismissed speculation of a rift with the party, projecting bonhomie with the Congress high-command after meeting Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge.The Thiruvananthapuram MP, who described Rahul and Kharge as “my two leaders”, said he would not leave the Congress and downplayed the row that followed the recent “Kochi Mahapanchayat.”Tharoor presented a picture of unity ahead of the Kerala assembly polls, where the Congress-led UDF is aiming to dislodge the incumbent LDF government-led by Pinarayi Vijayan. He said he plans to campaign extensively across the state’s 140 constituencies.Speaking about his campaign plans in Kerala, Tharoor said, “People seem to overlook the fact that in the last elections, I campaigned in 56 constituencies. That doesn’t change. I hope to add even more constituencies to that list this time. It is very important that we send the right message to voters and have an opportunity to make a significant impact on people’s lives.”The grand old party’s MP Tharoor also lauded former party president Rahul Gandhi, calling him “sincere” and a “strong voice” on issues like communalism in country.He also added later, “I see it in a positive way that one has an opportunity to discuss all issues very cordially and constructively in the spirit of camaraderie. We are all colleagues working together. These are my two leaders — the Congress president and the leader of the opposition in my own House of Parliament. We are moving forward together in a very positive way.”Rejecting reports of discord within the party, Tharoor termed them “exaggerated” and said “all is good”.After his meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Kharge in Parliament on Wednesday, Tharoor shared a photograph of the three leaders, wrote, “all is good” and “we are all on the same page.”Reflecting on criticism of his stand on certain issues, Tharoor said his views may have been perceived as pro-BJP by some, but insisted they were “pro-India.”Tharoor said that he has made it clear in the past as well that on some international matters, he does not like to talk about politics and instead prefers to speak about the country.“It is not something new, I have always said so,” the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram told reporters here.A row had erupted last year over his comments on the India-Pakistan conflict and the diplomatic outreach after the Pahalgam attack. His comments were at variance with the Congress’ stand and many party leaders took a swipe at him, questioning his intentions.Tharoor, while speaking to reporters, also admitted that a party member should not go against the party line.“I have always stood with the party in Parliament and therefore, there is no need to be concerned,” he said.On being asked by reporters whether he can categorically state he will not leave the Congress party, Tharoor said, “I can say that I am going to be in the Congress and that I am not going anywhere. I will be part of the poll campaign (in Kerala) and will work for the victory of the UDF.”“But, why is it that I am being asked to make such statements,” he asked.Tharoor had been upset over the treatment meted out to him at a Kochi event recently and reported attempts by some leaders to sideline him in Kerala.