Congress  leader  Shashi Tharoor  MP on Thursday said the next Kerala Assembly election wasn’t for another three years and it is not relevant to start the debate on the chief ministerial candidate now.

Speaking to media persons in Malappuram, Sashi Tharoor said that it is not relevant to start the debate on the Chief Ministerial candidate now, as the Assembly poll is not due till 2026. He added that at present, Kerala has a chief minister and an elected government with a good majority.

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Amid reports that there is discontent in the Congress over his reaching out to influential religious and community leaders, Tharoor said he didn’t  see any community leader by appointment.

“I never sought an appointment to meet any of the religious or community leaders. I met some of them recently, as they called him and expressed interest to meet him,” Tharoor said

‘Kerala is my karmabhoomi. While working in Kerala, it is impossible not to meet the leaders of Kerala. As an MP, everyone should be seen,” he added

Meanwhile, Congress state leadership meeting held on Wednesday suggested that leaders should refrain from creating unnecessary controversies that could weaken the party in state. Many leaders who participated in the discussion, reportedly  expressed the view that the party did not benefit from leaders distancing themselves from the tours undertaken by Tharoor’s. It is not right to boycott his programmes. The party leaders should realise that Tharoor is a part of Congress, some leaders reportedly stated at the leadership meet.

Sashi Tharoor and TN Prathapan MP came under criticism in the meeting for making public statements  expressing their intention of not contesting the next Lok Sabha polls.Meanwhile, KPCC executive meeting held here on Thursday warned party leaders against declaring their candidature for polls by themselves. The members of the executive committee opined that self- declaration of candidature  cannot be accepted and the organizational framework is applicable to all.

KPCC president K Sudhakaran warned that self-declaration of candidature will not be tolerated at any count. It is the party that decides the candidature of party leaders and workers, he added.