THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shashi Tharoor’s praise for both the CPM led LDF Government in Kerala and Narendra Modi’s visit to the US has put the state Congress leadership in a tight spot.Tharoor commended the LDF government’s new industrial policy, noting its focus on knowledge based industries like artificial intelligence, blockchain and machine learning. In a recent newspaper article, he remarked that Kerala was no longer a “devils own playground” for businesses and expressed that there were now meaningful reasons to celebrate.Tharoor praised Kerala’s growth in the start-up sector and its high rankings in indices such as Ease of Doing Business. He also criticised the Left , stating that Kerala’s communists, like their Bengal counterparts , have come to understand that economic growth depends on Capitalism.The Thiruvananthapuram MP didn’t stop at Kerala. Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the United States, he said “Donald Trump calling Modi a better negotiator than himself was a rare compliment from the President of the United States.”He said the Centre need to have a balanced approach in its tariff structure. While the government has maintained high tariffs in some sectors to safeguard Indian industries, the US is seeking greater access to the Indian market.In light of these circumstances it is essential to find a middle ground.Tharoor’s praise for the LDF government has not been well received by Kerala PCC leadership, which has reportedly apprised the AICC of the matter. The Thiruvananthapuram MP’s remarks came at a time when the Congress led opposition UDF is seizing every opportunity to take on the Pinarayi Vijayan government within and outside legislative assembly.Opposition Leader V D Satheeshan dismissed Tharoor’s comments on industrial growth in the state. “I don’t where he obtained the figures on startups in Kerala. I am unsure of the basis on which he wrote the article. Let the party central leadership review it.”Meanwhile, the Congress central leadership has rejected Tharoor’s comments regarding Modi’s US visit. The Congress does not support Trump’s policy of pressurising Modi on issues such as tariffs.The BJP on the other hand has launched a social media campaign pointing out that Tharoor’s praise for Modi was an endorsement of the NDA government’s policies.
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