Shashi Tharoor's convoy stopped, staff member attacked by group of men in Kerala

While local police officials did not find any political angle to the incident, they registered a case and took two people into custody.

In Short

• Incident occurred while campaigning for UDF candidate AP Anilkumar in Wandoor
• Police found no political motive, registered case, arrested two men
• Tharoor confident of UDF's victory in Kerala Assembly polls on April 9

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's convoy was allegedly stopped while a member of his security team was manhandled in Kerala's Malappuram district on Friday.

The incident took place while Tharoor was on his way to Wandoor to campaign for UDF candidate AP Anilkumar.

According to Tharoor's team, they were travelling in two vehicles when about eight men stopped Tharoor's vehicle. The men did not allow his vehicle to move forward. When a member of Tharoor's security team got down to interfere, he was attacked.

While local police officials did not find any political angle to the incident, they registered a case and took two people into custody.

Taking to 'X', Tharoor thanked well-wishers for expressing concern about the incident. "He is well and I was untouched. Thank you to all friends and well-wishers. We carried on undaunted yesterday and concluded two more events as planned," he posted.

'CONFIDENT OF UDF WINNING KERALA POLLS'

While campaigning for Anilkumar in Wandoor, Tharoor expressed confidence that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will get a majority in the Kerala Assembly. Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9. The counting of votes will be on May 4.

Responding to a question about who would become the Chief Minister if the Congress-led UDF comes to power, Tharoor said it is not for him to decide. He added that the Congress High Command will decide after considering the views of the elected MLAs.

The fourth-term MP from Thiruvananthapuram reiterated that the Congress party is focusing on creating new jobs under a UDF government.

"We have to ensure Kerala's development under the UDF government. Our people are leaving the state and going to other states and countries as they don't see enough possibilities here. We must create job opportunities here. We are going to win. The momentum is with us," he said.

Tharoor also criticised the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, calling it "terrible" and saying the government has no right to seize schools, hospitals, and orphanages run by church groups, and urged that the bill be referred to a standing committee for further review.

(With inputs from ANI)

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