Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said he is not in the fray to become the chief minister of Kerala.
This clarification comes as the Indian National Congress and its allies navigate the leadership transition following the 2026 state assembly elections. Tharoor's position is significant given his prominence within the party and the ongoing speculation regarding who will lead the state government.
Speaking ahead of the counting of results on April 9, 2026 [1], Tharoor addressed the possibility of his candidacy for the top executive role. He said, "I’m not in the fray to be Kerala CM."
Tharoor explained that the process for selecting the next leader involves a coordinated effort between the local representatives and the central party leadership. He said that the elected MLAs will gather in Thiruvananthapuram to hold a Legislature Party meeting, and consult with coalition partners [2].
According to Tharoor, the final decision rests with the party high-command after they have consulted with the elected MLAs [3]. He said he prefers to remain available to his colleagues for guidance and suggestions rather than pursuing the office himself.
The context of these leadership discussions follows a strong showing for the party in the elections. The Indian National Congress emerged as the single largest party, with leads in 61 seats [4]. This performance has placed the party in a position to form a government, provided they can maintain the support of their coalition partners.
Tharoor said that the democratic process within the party and the coalition must be respected. He said that the high-command's role is to synthesize the wishes of the elected members before finalizing the appointment of the chief minister.
“"I’m not in the fray to be Kerala CM."”
Tharoor's explicit withdrawal from the chief ministerial race removes a high-profile contender from the equation, simplifying the internal selection process for the Congress party. By deferring to the 'high-command' and the Legislature Party, he reinforces the traditional party hierarchy and avoids potential friction within the coalition as they move to consolidate power after leading in 61 seats.
