Tharoor Shares Survey Projecting Him As Kerala CM Choice, Congress Leader Calls It 'Cooked Up'

Last Updated:July 10, 2025, 11:59 IST

Posting the survey on his official X handle, Tharoor appeared to tacitly acknowledge his growing popularity within the faction-ridden Congress in Kerala.

A file photo of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (PTI Image)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor stirred a political debate on Wednesday after he shared the results of a public survey on social media that projected him as the leading candidate for the Chief Ministerial post from the United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala. The survey, named the Kerala Vibe Vote Survey 2026, suggested that Tharoor is the top choice among voters for the Opposition alliance, garnering 28.3% of support among respondents.

Posting the survey on his official X handle, Tharoor appeared to tacitly acknowledge his growing popularity within the faction-ridden Congress in Kerala. The poll also revealed a strong anti-incumbency sentiment across the state, with 62% of voters reportedly in favour of replacing their current MLA, while only 23% were inclined to retain them. The data hinted at a potential shake-up in the state’s political dynamics ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

However, senior Congress leader and former Kerala minister Ramesh Chennithala quickly dismissed the survey’s credibility. Speaking to the media, he termed the findings “cooked up" and appeared to distance the party from Tharoor’s post.

“There is no truth to such surveys. They are manufactured for publicity," he said, signaling internal discomfort over Tharoor’s rising solo moves.

The incident has reignited chatter within Kerala’s Congress unit about potential leadership changes and the battle for influence ahead of a high-stakes election in 2026.

News politics Tharoor Shares Survey Projecting Him As Kerala CM Choice, Congress Leader Calls It 'Cooked Up'