Shashi Tharoor Is Kerala CM Favorite In Poll, But State Congress Chief Isn't Onboard Yet

Last Updated:July 09, 2025, 22:04 IST

The survey, conducted by Mumbai-based VoteVibe, was shared by Tharoor on his X account

File photo of Shashi Tharoor (PTI)

Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, received a significant boost from a recent pre-poll survey that named him the most preferred candidate for the post of Kerala Chief Minister.

The survey, conducted by Mumbai-based VoteVibe, was shared by Tharoor on his X account. This move comes amid ongoing speculation about tensions between him and the Congress high command.

The post, apparently shared by a supporter and tagged to senior Congress leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, K.C. Venugopal, Priyanka Gandhi, and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, stated: “@shashtharoor emerges as the best bet for chief ministerial choice for the 2026 Kerala polls for a faction-ridden UDF alliance, a recent survey reveals."

Despite the attention, newly appointed Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph sought to downplay the buzz.

Joseph noted that the Congress party chooses its leadership only after election results, following a proper process.

Tharoor’s relationship with the national Congress leadership has reportedly been strained since he contested the party presidential election against Mallikarjun Kharge. The friction appeared to deepen when his name was omitted from the list of leaders recommended for the Union government’s Operation Sindoor outreach initiative.

Despite these tensions, Tharoor had received a surprising nod when Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited him to lead a delegation to the United States and other countries, a move viewed by many as a tacit gesture of recognition.

On his return, Tharoor acknowledged existing differences with the party leadership but emphasised his willingness to engage in dialogue. “I remain open to discussions," he said, signalling a readiness to bridge any divide.

The VoteVibe poll places Tharoor at the top with 28.3% support among Kerala voters, although a significant 27.1% remained undecided about the UDF’s leadership. The poll also highlights a leadership vacuum within the United Democratic Front (UDF), reflecting broader anxieties over the opposition’s electoral preparedness.

The leadership crisis extends to the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) as well. In contrast to Tharoor’s strong showing, former Health Minister K.K. Shailaja emerged as the most preferred leader within the LDF bloc, securing 24.2% support, while the sitting Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, garnered just 17.5%.

(With inputs from IANS)

Kerala, India, India

News politics Shashi Tharoor Is Kerala CM Favorite In Poll, But State Congress Chief Isn't Onboard Yet