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Four-time MP and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Friday said he does not see himself contesting another Lok Sabha election if there are any after five years as the Thiruvananthapuram MP believes it is important for the younger generation to know when to step aside to come to the fore.
In the recently concluded elections, Tharoor registered his fourth victory from Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat in Kerala by defeating former Union minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar by 16,077 votes.
Also read: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor retains Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat by defeating Rajeev Chandrasekhar: ‘Super Over was right here’
In an interview with news agency PTI, when Tharoor was asked if this election was his last foray into electoral politics, he said, “Not electoral politics, but definitely Lok Sabha. I think I have done my part and I honestly feel that at some point, we all need to know when to step back to let the younger blood come forward and work on it.”
The Congress leader said he has tried his best for the people of his constituency and will continue to do so, but he believes there are “many ways to serve in public life” even without contesting the Lok Sabha.
Also read: Shashi Tharoor wants ‘Man of the Match’ Rahul Gandhi to become leader of opposition after Lok Sabha elections
He said, “I think if elections are held after five years then I do not see myself in a position to want to go to the Lok Sabha again.”
However, Tharoor said he still has five years left to serve and is determined to do his best for his people during that period.
Asked about the BJP winning its first seat in Kerala, with actor-politician Suresh Gopi winning the Thrissur seat with a huge margin, Tharoor said it needed to be taken seriously.
Also read: Shashi Tharoor laughs off ‘Modi will take oath on June 8’ claim: ‘I said exit polls were wrong’
However, the MP said Suresh Gopi was no ordinary BJP candidate. “He made every effort to highlight his secular credentials, made a strong appeal to the minority voters in Thrissur, especially the Christian community, and also had the personal charm of being a celebrity candidate, a well-known film star and the host of the Malayalam version of Kaun Banega Crorepati,” Tharoor said.
“All these things make him a very unusual person and it will not be easy to imitate him elsewhere,” he said.
Also read: Shashi Tharoor’s former aide arrested in gold smuggling case at Delhi airport, Congress MP says ‘law must take action…’
“Certainly if the BJP drops its communal message and runs a secular campaign like Gopi has done, they can probably do better, but right now they have gone from a 13 per cent party to a 16 per cent party in Kerala,” Tharoor told PTI.
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Published: June 07, 2024, 10:47 PM IST
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