Congress leaders in Kerala soften their stance against Tharoor

Thiruvananthapuram: Despite causing damage to the party, Congress leaders in Kerala are soft in their approach towards party MP Shashi Tharoor.

While AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said that the Congress party would not sideline any one for criticizing the workings of the party, Ramesh Chennithala on the other hand justified Tharoor's actions and said that the latest controversial interview was taken before Tharoor met the top brass, including Rahul Gandhi.

Leader of Opposition in Kerala V D Satheesan preferred to be tight lipped on the matter, while Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President K Sudhakaran that Tharoor would not cross any limits.

The Congress leaders in the state have decided to either ignore Tharoor or not provoke him further.

Party sources said that since Tharoor enjoys a certain degree of popularity among the people, any action against him would be like rubbing salt to injury. Hence the party is maintaining a neutral approach in his case.

Venugopal even criticised the media for misinterpreting his remarks on Sunday against the CPM government in Kerala as those against Tharoor.

"Congress is not a party that sidelines anyone who raises any criticisms. The Congress party often takes criticisms positively, he said.

Meanwhile, Tharoor is yet to make any comments on the row even as the CPM leaders in Kerala, including the party state secretary M V Govindan, hailed Tharoor's remarks in favour of the left-front.