Muraleedharan Rebukes Shashi Tharoor Over CM Survey Comments: ‘Pick a Side

### Speedy Summary:
– Congress MP Shashi tharoor shared a social media post about a survey suggesting he is the most preferred choice for Chief Minister among the Congress-led UDF leaders in Kerala.
– The survey reportedly found that 28.3% of respondents believe Mr. Tharoor is best suited to lead Kerala.
– Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan dismissed the credibility of such surveys, remarking that decisions regarding leadership will adhere to party rules and framework.
– Mr. Muraleedharan further stated that several senior leaders within KeralaS Congress would be considered for the CM post if UDF comes to power in 2026, irrespective of any survey results.
– A rift seems to be widening between Mr. Tharoor and his party’s central leadership over his reactions following the Pahalgam terror attack, with some comments reportedly putting Congress on the defensive.- Kerala Assembly elections are scheduled for April 2026, as CPI(M)-led LDF completes its five-year term under CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

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### Indian Opinion Analysis:
Shashi Tharoor’s public acknowledgment of a private survey probing his popularity as a possible CM candidate has stirred debate within Kerala’s political circles ahead of critical Assembly polls next year. While surveys may highlight certain perceptions among voters, internal party dynamics tend to dictate leadership roles in scenarios like this.

K Muraleedharan’s remarks signify how electoral strategy within Congress prioritizes collective goals over individual ambitions to avoid unnecessary controversies before elections-a pragmatic standpoint given intra-party sensitivities about choosing leadership across factions.Tharoor’s ongoing friction with central leadership raises questions on whether personal branding could complicate organizational unity heading into key electoral battles. As Assembly elections approach, this episode emphasizes potential challenges in balancing individual prominence with cohesive team strategy-a task necessary for navigating high-stakes state-level politics.

Read more: [Full Article](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/tharoor-shares-survey-projecting-him-as-prospective-kerala-cm-candidate/article69793278.ece)