THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  Despite losing the party's presidential election, Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha member Shashi Tharoor was able to increase both his party and civil society support, much to the chagrin of many, including Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan.

The son of former chief minister K. Murabakran, a fellow member of the Lok Sabha, came out in support of Tharoor, stating that he had a place in state politics.

Satheesan had expressed displeasure with Tharoor's abrupt entry into state politics, saying that someone who is a creature of the media can be compared to a balloon that will pop with the prick of a pin, in contrast to other party leaders in the state unit who are there to stay.

"No one should undervalue anyone; otherwise, what happened to Messi would occur. Since Nehru's time, the Congress has granted diplomats a significant amount of space, according to Muraleedharan, who supported the official candidate in the presidential election.

Due in part to the declining health of Oommen Chandy, a two-time former chief minister, many members of his party who had previously supported him are now supporting Tharoor.

With the full backing of Kozhikode Congress Lok Sabha member M.K. Raghavan, Tharoor surprised everyone by travelling independently to the areas of north Kerala. Despite some members of the Congress party staying absent, his meetings received positive feedback.

Tharoor has a big fan base and simply cannot be ignored. Raghavan, who has protested to the national president about how a segment of the party would not collaborate even when there were two party Lok Sabha members who were part of it, stated, "We do not have any cudgels with anyone.

On his recent journey to north Kerala, Tharoor had a successful meeting with the head of the Indian Union Muslim League. On Wednesday, he went to Tellicherry in Kannur to meet with the Catholic bishop.

Soon after the meeting, a grinning Tharoor assured the reporters that he has no grievances against anyone.

"I understand why you (the media) are here, but I have nothing to say and no complaints to make. It saddens me that there is the inaccurate discussion of factionalism. I receive about 40 speaking invitations a week, and during Rahul Gandhi's BJY, I accepted a few of them after attending a few events. Since then, I have accepted more invitations, and I have attended, said Tharoor.

The scene now shifts to Delhi, where the Kerala problem is likely to be discussed by the party's national leadership.

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