June 19: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said he did not campaign for the Nilambur bypoll in Kerala because the party leadership did not invite him. Speaking to reporters, Tharoor acknowledged “some differences” with the Congress leadership but denied any major rift, saying he had been on an official diplomatic tour and had received no call urging him to join the campaign.
“There was no insistence, no missed call,” Tharoor said with a smile, adding that he instead fulfilled prior commitments, including a parliamentary committee meeting in Delhi. Voting is currently underway in Nilambur. Tharoor urged people to support the Congress candidate, describing him as “a good candidate,” and praised local party workers for their efforts.
