Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, contesting as the party’s candidate from Thiruvananthapuram in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, commenced his campaign by participating in a Palm Sunday event. Palm Sunday is a significant day for Christians, marking Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey for the Passover celebrations.
Tharoor highlighted the importance of Palm Sunday and the ensuing week in Christian tradition, including Jesus’ last supper, betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection on Easter Sunday. He emphasized the significance of this week for Christian constituents.
The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled for April 26 in Kerala, where Tharoor, the incumbent MP from Thiruvananthapuram, faces Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar as a formidable opponent. Chandrasekhar, previously in the Rajya Sabha, is now contesting the Lok Sabha elections.
The competition in Thiruvananthapuram intensifies with the entry of the CPI, a partner in the ruling LDF, fielding Pannyan Raveendran. Tharoor expressed concerns about the CPI splitting the Opposition vote share, urging them to adhere to alliance principles.
The CPI, in response, criticized Tharoor and questioned his understanding of coalition politics, especially regarding the Congress fielding Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad again. Tharoor won the Thiruvananthapuram seat in the 2019 elections and faces a keen contest this time.
Kerala has 20 Lok Sabha seats, with Thiruvananthapuram comprising six Assembly segments. The BJP, despite efforts, is yet to secure a seat in the Lower House from Kerala.