Shashi Tharoor to Miss Kerala CM Swearing-In Ceremony, Apologizes for Absence Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has announced that he will not attend the swearing-in ceremony of Kerala’s new Chief Minister, VD Satheesan. In a social media post, Tharoor expressed regret for missing the event, explaining that he will be in Boston for a graduation ceremony at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University. He will deliver the commencement address there, which coincides with the 50th anniversary reunion of his batch. Tharoor also mentioned that he will participate in a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of his batch, which he described as a significant event in his personal history. Tharoor’s absence has been met with understanding, as the event is scheduled for May 18, following Satheesan’s selection as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) on Thursday. Satheesan was chosen by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) after a meeting held in the assembly premises. Senior Congress leader Tiruvanchir Raghavan supported the decision, while senior leader Ramesh Chennithala sent a letter endorsing Satheesan’s candidacy. The selection came shortly after the United Democratic Front (UDF) secured a strong victory in the state elections. Satheesan’s swearing-in ceremony will take place on May 18, following his formal nomination by the All India Congress Committee (AICC). The event will see the participation of several political figures, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who have been invited to attend. The KPCC president, Sunny Joseph, and AICC’s Kerala in-charge, Deepa Das Munshi, have already met with the state governor, Rajendra Vishwanath Araker, to discuss the proceedings.#shashi_tharoor #kerala_pradesh_congress_committee #vd_satheesan #fletcher_school_of_law_diplomacy #tufts_university
The Indian National Congress party has finalized its list of candidates for contested assembly constituencies, with key decisions emerging from a marathon meeting held in Kochi. The party's high command, led by President Mallikarjun Kharge, resolved to avoid allowing MPs to contest in the upcoming elections, a stance that led to the resignation of K. Sudhakaran, a senior leader who had previously pushed for such a move. This decision was formalized during a critical meeting at Kharge's residence, which concluded at 2:15 PM. Notable candidates include T. T. Mohan in Kozhikode, Satish Kochu in Kondotty, and Shabari Nath in Nematth. Other selections include Abhin Varki in Aranmula, Sudhir Shah Palot in Vamanapuram, N. Shaktan in Neyyattinkara, Madhu in Ranjith, Roy K. Paulos in Ittikkurich, and Natesh in Ettumanoor. The second phase of the ticket list is set to be announced at 10 AM. The party also confirmed that five constituencies remain contested, with disputes ongoing in Udumalpet, Kottayam, and Chayamangalath. Meanwhile, the Congress's decision to exclude MPs from contesting has been met with resistance, particularly from Sudhakaran, whose efforts to push for their inclusion were thwarted. Party leaders, including Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph and opposition leader V. D. Satheesh, emphasized that the final decisions on contested seats were left to the high command. Satheesh also assured that the list would be finalized today, alleviating concerns for candidates who did not secure tickets. The meeting marked a pivotal moment in the party's strategy for the upcoming elections, balancing internal dynamics with electoral considerations.#kochi #indian_national_congress #mallikarjun_kharge #kerala_pradesh_congress_committee #sudhakaran
