Thiruvananthapuram: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday called for “serious introspection” within the INDIA bloc after its heavy defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections, saying the Opposition must learn from the setback ahead of five key state polls next year.
Speaking to reporters here, Tharoor said the scale of the defeat had surprised even journalists and on-ground observers, signalling deeper issues within the alliance’s strategy and coordination.
“This defeat demands honest assessment. What went wrong? Was it leadership, candidate selection, or something else?” he said, stressing that the bloc must analyse its shortcomings instead of jumping to conclusions.
Tharoor clarified that he was not involved in the Bihar campaign and therefore had no direct insight into the internal dynamics. “I was not invited, so I do not know the ground realities,” he remarked. However, he added that media feedback indicated the “drubbing was least expected.”
With five states — including Kerala — heading to polls next year, the Thiruvananthapuram MP warned that delays in revisiting the Opposition’s approach could prove costly in the run-up to the 2026 and 2029 elections.
Calling for collective responsibility, Tharoor noted that Congress was not the principal party in Bihar. “We were not the main player there; the regional allies also need to introspect,” he said.
Tharoor’s candid comments are likely to fuel renewed discussions within the Congress and the wider INDIA bloc over campaign strategy, messaging, and organisational preparedness.
