Shashi Tharoor ‘told to’ cancel UP visit to avert ‘clash’ with Mallikarjun Kharge fans | India News
NEW DELHI: Shashi Tharoor, the underdog in the race for Congress president, has had to cancel his visit to Lucknow twice in two days, amid indications that the reason given to stay away on Tuesday was that it could result in a “clash” with supporters of veteran Mallikarjun Kharge, who was also coming to the state capital.
Sources involved in campaigning in Uttar Pradesh said Tharoor was asked by a “top party official” to avoid campaigning in Lucknow on Monday, as it was inappropriate in the light of the passing of Samajwadi patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. It is learnt that Tharoor suggested visiting on Tuesday, but was told that it could result in clash with Kharge’s supporters.
Undeterred, Tharoor is now scheduled to visit Lucknow on October 16. “The people who are expecting a hands-down, no-contest victory for the ‘establishment’ in the internal elections are in for a major surprise,” he said. He also asked the AICC election authority headed by Madhusudan Mistry to clarify that voting will be secret, and the ballots will be mixed from boxes ahead of counting to ensure their secrecy.
The back to back cancellations have raised eyebrows in the party circles, with some asking if key UP Congress leaders were keen on pushing Tharoor behind.
Sources involved in campaigning in Uttar Pradesh said Tharoor was asked by a “top party official” to avoid campaigning in Lucknow on Monday, as it was inappropriate in the light of the passing of Samajwadi patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. It is learnt that Tharoor suggested visiting on Tuesday, but was told that it could result in clash with Kharge’s supporters.
Undeterred, Tharoor is now scheduled to visit Lucknow on October 16. “The people who are expecting a hands-down, no-contest victory for the ‘establishment’ in the internal elections are in for a major surprise,” he said. He also asked the AICC election authority headed by Madhusudan Mistry to clarify that voting will be secret, and the ballots will be mixed from boxes ahead of counting to ensure their secrecy.
The back to back cancellations have raised eyebrows in the party circles, with some asking if key UP Congress leaders were keen on pushing Tharoor behind.
