New Delhi

Senior Indian National Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has clarified that he is not in the race for the chief minister’s post ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, emphasising that the position should ideally go to an elected MLA.

In an interview, Tharoor pointed out that since he is not contesting the polls, he does not consider himself a contender for the top job. He added that, in principle, the chief minister should be chosen from among the elected representatives after the election.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP said his role in the elections would be focused on campaigning across the state rather than a single constituency. As a member of the party’s campaign committee, he plans to travel extensively across all districts to connect with voters, particularly youth and professionals.

Referring to remarks by Rahul Gandhi urging party leaders to work in unison, Tharoor said the message had been well received and that leaders are now “working together” for the polls.

While he personally supports projecting a chief ministerial face in elections, Tharoor noted that the Congress traditionally does not follow this approach in Kerala. Instead, the party relies on its organisational strength and agenda-driven campaign.

Expressing confidence in the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s prospects, he said a tally of 85–100 seats in the 140-member assembly would be a strong outcome. He also cited anti-incumbency against the Left Democratic Front government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as a key factor in the upcoming polls.

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Tharoor also criticised the early poll date, saying the limited campaign period of about three weeks could benefit incumbent governments in states going to elections.