Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K. Sudhakaran, on Sunday, asked Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor to toe the party line or move out. He was reacting to the Congress MP refusing to sign a letter opposing the K-Rail project of the state government. Sudhakaran said a written explanation has been sought from Tharoor on the issue.
“Shashi Tharoor is only one man in the party. If he follows the party line, he will remain in the party. Otherwise, he won't,” Sudhakaran was quoted as saying at a press conference in Kannur.
Tharoor did not sign the letter, saying he needed more time to study the project, even as he clarified that this would not mean he is supporting the project.
Later, in an article, the Congress MP had suggested that the UDF was blindly opposing all development projects in Kerala.
His party colleagues are also upset with Tharoor after he recently hailed the developmental initiatives launched by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a private function.
“Everyone may have their personal opinion, but no MP with party membership has been given the right to reject a party decision. Be it Shashi Tharoor or K. Sudhakaran,” the PCC chief said.
Earlier, former KPCC chief Mullappally Ramachadran had sought action against Tharoor for contradicting the party's stance on the project.
—With inputs from Onmanorama
