Thiruvananthapuram: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has inaugurated and addressed a “hugely attended and thrillingly lively” election convention for the party’s (UDF) candidate in Thiruvananthapuram Central, C. P. John. In a social‑media post, Tharoor described the event as an energetic campaign gathering where he extolled the candidate’s political acumen and urged voters to give him a strong mandate in the upcoming assembly elections.
Addressing a packed open‑air venue in the state capital, Tharoor narrated his long‑standing association with C. P. John, recalling that he has worked closely with him for 17 years during his tenure as Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram. Calling John a trusted and dependable colleague, the Congress leader highlighted his consistent involvement in key development initiatives and public‑welfare programmes in the constituency. Tharoor also pointed to John’s grassroots connect and administrative experience as critical assets that, if harnessed in the state assembly, could benefit the entire region.
The Congress leader praised the candidate’s “towering intellect and formidable knowledge,” underlining his depth in policy matters, governance and public service. He urged the electorate to recognise these qualities and place John in the legislature so that his expertise can be put at the service of Kerala. Tharoor also took the opportunity to criticise the current ruling dispensation, arguing that the state needed leaders with a proven track record of public engagement and problem‑solving rather than populist slogans.
The convention, held in Thiruvananthapuram, was marked by strong party mobilisation, with senior local Congress leaders, district functionaries, youth and student wings, and a large number of supporters in attendance. Banners and posters of the UDF alliance and C. P. John lined the venue, while party workers distributed pamphlets and campaign materials to the audience. The event featured cultural performances and speeches by local activists, reinforcing the Congress’s attempt to galvanise support in the high‑profile Thiruvananthapuram Central seat.
Political observers noted that Tharoor’s presence at the convention signals the Congress’s intent to consolidate its traditional vote base in the capital region, where the party has been striving to regain lost ground. The Thiruvananthapuram Central seat is seen as a key urban battleground, and the Congress is banking on a combination of local leadership, name‑recognition of experienced leaders like C. P. John, and the visibility brought in by national figures such as Shashi Tharoor to mount a strong challenge in the assembly polls.
