Thiruvananthapuram: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said there was no need for a chief ministerial debate within the party at this stage, asserting that the decision would be taken by party high command after the assembly elections based on the views of elected MLAs.Speaking to the media during campaign engagements, Tharoor said the ongoing discussions over the chief minister’s post were unnecessary. “Congress has a clear process. The decision will be made after the election. UDF’s deal is with the people,” he said, adding that the front remains focused on securing a mandate. Tharoor also expressed confidence about the party’s prospects in Nemom, stating that Congress candidate K Sabarinadhan would deliver a strong performance. He further claimed that BJP votes in the constituency would be ‘wasted’. Tharoor’s remarks come amid an intensifying internal debate within Congress over the chief ministerial face, with leaders openly backing contenders such as V D Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala in recent days. Meanwhile, senior Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader P K Kunhalikutty dismissed any suggestion of discord within UDF over the chief ministerial issue. He reiterated that Congress would take the final call after the polls and that IUML would extend full support to whoever is chosen. Kunhalikutty also expressed confidence that UDF would overcome any alleged CPM-BJP understanding in the state. He flagged concerns over attempts to split secular votes in constituencies such as Manjeshwar, claiming that the front has taken steps to prevent vote division. Referring to a recent controversy, he said the party took action against an IUML member for making derogatory remarks against U Prathibha, MLA, adding that such behaviour would not be tolerated. With the campaign gaining momentum, leaders across UDF have sought to project unity while downplaying internal differences over leadership, even as political exchanges sharpen across the state.
