John Brittas, Shashi Tharoor (PTI file photos)
NEW DELHI: CPI(M) leader John Brittas on Friday criticised Congress MP Shashi Tharoor over his remarks on the state’s name change.Brittas, a Rajya Sabha member from Kerala, responded to a post by Tharoor in which the Thiruvananthapuram MP shared an interview questioning the “symbolic” shift from ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam’. Reacting to Tharoor’s comments, Brittas said, “Saab always claimed to be a politician of a different type – maybe after the ceasefire with the high command, he has chosen to be like any other Congressman.”He also referred to an earlier interview from February 2025 in which Tharoor had said, “Kerala is beginning to stand out as a model of economic innovation and sustainable growth.” Brittas added, “But sure sir, if it brings anything good for you – I wouldn’t remind you all these.” Earlier, Brittas had criticised Tharoor for asking what terms like “Keralite” and “Keralan” would become after the renaming. Responding on X, Brittas had said, “A gentle glide from ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam’ will not trigger an identity extinction event.” He added, “Identity isn’t a spelling test,” and told Tharoor to “step away from the microbe-mineral anxiety”, saying people would continue to identify as Malayalee or Mallu. In response, Tharoor had said in a lighter tone that “Keralamite” sounds like a microbe and “Keralamian” like a rare earth mineral. He suggested that the chief minister’s office could consider a competition to decide new terms.Earlier this month, Tharoor dismissed speculation about differences with the Congress leadership. He met leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, projecting unity.Tharoor has at times taken positions that differ from the Congress party line, including praising certain policies of the central government. The Congress has on several occasions said Tharoor’s views did not reflect the party’s official stand.
