CPI(M) backs Tharoor's criticism of Congress

Tharoor said that Cong doesn't have a suitable leader in Kerala... He said if this continued, LDF will return MV GOVINDAN, CPI(M) state secretary

- HT Correspondent

KOCHI: The senior leaders of the CPI(M) in Kerala rushed to support Congress MP Shashi Tharoor after the latter commented that there was an "absence" of a leader within the state unit of the Congress and that it would sit in opposition for the third time if it did not try to expand its appeal beyond its voter-base.

At the same time, Congress leaders in the state reacted cautiously to the comments.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member, in a newspaper podcast, also said that he was available for the party if it needed him. But if it did not need his services, Tharoor said he had "options" like books, speeches and invitations to address gatherings around the world.

He also said that the Congress can come to power both at the national and state level only if it expands beyond its natural vote-base and attract new voters.

Tharoor also claimed that independent opinion polls have showed him to be ahead of other party members in the leadership race in the state unit of the Congress.