Shashi Tharoor Upset with Rahul Gandhi: The Inside Story of Kerala Congress Rift

• Shashi Tharoor felt humiliated by Rahul Gandhi's behavior at a 'Mahapanchayat' in Kochi, where Gandhi did not mention his name or formally greet him.
• Tharoor, a CWC member, was asked to speak before Rahul Gandhi arrived, but other non-CWC leaders spoke in Gandhi's presence, making Tharoor feel neglected.
• Rahul Gandhi named 12 leaders in his speech but omitted Tharoor, leading to Tharoor conveying his displeasure to AICC in-charge Deep Dasmunshi and General Secretary KC Venugopal.
• Tharoor skipped a crucial Delhi meeting on Kerala Assembly election preparations, citing prior engagements at the Kerala Literature Festival, though party sources knew of his unhappiness.
• The incident highlights internal leadership and coordination challenges within Kerala Congress ahead of upcoming assembly elections.

Why It Matters: Shashi Tharoor's public snub by Rahul Gandhi at a Kochi event has caused internal strife in Kerala Congress.