Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, has shared a personal anecdote linked to his name, revealing that he was born on Maha Shivratri and named ‘Shashi’ after the crescent moon adorning Lord Shiva’s forehead. His post on social media, marking his “nakshatram birthday” as per the Kerala calendar, came at a time when he is at the center of political discussions over his remarks on rivals, including the Left Democratic Front government’s handling of the state’s economy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s engagement with former United States President Donald Trump.
In his message, Shashi Tharoor stated that while official records, including the Parliament website, list his birthday as March 9, his traditional birthday, based on the Hindu calendar, falls on Maha Shivratri, making the day deeply significant for him and his family. Maha Shivratri is a major Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to mark his divine union with Goddess Parvati.
Shashi Tharoor’s post, while personal and reflective, comes amid growing tensions within the Kerala Congress following his recent praises for the Left Democratic Front government’s economic policies and Narendra Modi’s diplomatic interactions. His remarks have sparked controversy within the party, with Congress leaders criticizing his statements as damaging to the party’s interests.
A mouthpiece of the Kerala Congress termed his comments “suicidal,” warning that weakening the party from within could have severe consequences. However, Shashi Tharoor has remained firm in his stance, justifying his statements as being in the interest of the state and the nation. He further hinted at his political options outside the party, asserting in a podcast that while he remains committed to the Congress, he also has “his own things to do.” “If the party wants me, I will be there for the party. If not, I have my own options,” he remarked, signaling that he is not without political alternatives.
Amid the growing internal discord, the Congress is reportedly moving toward damage control, with a high-level meeting scheduled for Friday. Sources suggest that party leaders, including Shashi Tharoor, may attempt to project unity and avoid further escalation of tensions. Additionally, the party leadership has decided against directly responding to his statements, fearing that a public rebuttal could lead to internal conflict spilling into the open.
As the Congress grapples with internal divisions, Shashi Tharoor’s remarks have once again highlighted the ongoing ideological and strategic differences within the party, particularly in Kerala, where he has often taken independent positions. Whether the upcoming meeting will succeed in resolving the rift remains to be seen.
