Sat Mar 01 07:28:46 UTC 2025: ## Congress in Kerala Vows Unity Ahead of 2026 Assembly Polls Amidst Internal Tensions
**Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala —** Following a series of electoral setbacks, the Kerala unit of the Indian National Congress held a high-level meeting on Friday to strategize for the 2026 Assembly elections. The meeting, attended by top party leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Shashi Tharoor, aimed to address internal dissent and project a united front against the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Recent statements by Tharoor, including an article praising the LDF’s economic policies and comments suggesting he had other options if the Congress didn’t want him, had sparked speculation of a rift within the party. While Tharoor later clarified his remarks were misconstrued, and shared a post on X affirming party unity, the meeting served as a platform to address these concerns directly.
Senior Congress leaders strongly refuted claims of disunity. Ramesh Chennithala asserted that the party is united and will fight the upcoming elections together, highlighting the perceived failures of the current Kerala government. Deepa Dasmunshi, the party in-charge for Kerala, dismissed media reports suggesting internal divisions, emphasizing the party’s collective opposition to both the LDF and BJP.
The meeting served as a warning against public statements detrimental to the party’s interests. While the Congress acknowledged the need for change, the focus remained on leveraging the party’s historical contribution to Kerala’s development model to regain power in 2026. The party’s commitment to a unified approach will be a key factor in determining its success in the upcoming elections.
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