Sleepless Nights to Sonia and Rahul

During his Kerala visit, Prime Minister Modi made key remarks that indirectly targeted Congress leaders like Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, hinting that his actions may cause them "sleepless nights." On Friday, he inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, developed at a cost of Rs 8,867 crore. This sea port was developed under a public-private partnership model led by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd.

At the Thiruvananthapuram airport, local Congress MP Shashi Tharoor personally welcomed the Prime Minister. Later, he also participated in the official program alongside Modi. During his speech, the PM noted that Tharoor was seated beside him on stage. Modi jokingly said that some people might not like Tharoor sharing the stage with him and added that it might give some leaders "sleepless nights"—a veiled jab at Rahul and Sonia Gandhi.

Tharoor has won four consecutive times as an MP from Thiruvananthapuram on a Congress ticket. However, he has reportedly been unhappy with the party leadership for some time. There has been widespread speculation about him possibly joining the BJP, especially after he recently met with a central minister. His welcoming of the PM and sharing the stage with him further fueled the rumors that he is drifting away from the Congress party.

The Prime Minister's praise of Tharoor and the comment that his presence on stage would trouble some leaders has sparked significant political discussion. This has led to speculation that Modi’s remarks may have been based on a prior understanding with Tharoor. The BJP is keen to gain a foothold in Kerala, and bringing Tharoor into the party could be a strategic move, which the party leadership appears enthusiastic about.