Thiruvananthapuram commonly known by its former name Trivandrum is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. Located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland, Thiruvananthapuram is a major information technology hub in Kerala and contributes 55 per cent of the state's software exports. The city is on the west coast of India and is bounded by the Laccadive Sea to its west and the Western Ghats to its east.
Being India's largest city in the deep south, it is strategically prominent and hosts the Southern Air Command headquarters of the Indian Air Force, the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station and the upcoming Vizhinjam International Seaport. Thiruvananthapuram is a major tourist hub in India. Kovalam and Varkala are popular beach towns near the city. Other important beaches include Poovar, Shankumugham Beach, Azhimala Beach, Vizhinjam Beach and Veli Beach.
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple located at the heart of the city is known as the richest place of worship in the world. The city is also known for its unique style of architecture involving Kerala Architecture with British and Dravidian influences. Thiruvananthapuram is known as the ‘Evergreen City of India’ because of its green landscapes and the presence of many public parks.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the political developments in Kerala as Congress MP Shashi Tharoor signals a peace pact with the party high command. Following a meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Tharoor reaffirmed his commitment to the party, stating, 'These are my two leaders, the Congress president on the one hand and the leader of the opposition in my own House of Parliament, the Lok Sabha'. The meeting aimed to resolve reported unease and coordination issues ahead of the crucial Kerala Assembly elections scheduled for April and May. Tharoor is set to play a pivotal role in the UDF campaign, with plans to visit all 140 constituencies in the state. The leadership has assured Tharoor of due recognition and involvement in key decision-making processes, ending a period of friction and setting the stage for a united front in the upcoming polls.
In this report, the focus is on the high-level meeting between Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The meeting aimed to address speculations regarding a rebellion and internal friction within the Kerala Congress unit. Speaking after the marathon session, Shashi Tharoor stated, 'The discussion with my two party leaders, the LOP and the Congress President and we had a very good, constructive, positive discussion.' He emphasized that the party is moving forward on the same page, dismissing rumors of a fallout. Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, confirmed he would continue to campaign for the party alongside the state leadership. The Congress leadership has reportedly stepped in to ensure unity ahead of upcoming elections, describing Tharoor as an asset to the party. The discussion follows Tharoor's recent absence from party meetings and reported differences with the state leadership in Kerala.
On this Special Report, senior journalist Aarti Jerath analyzes the growing friction between Shashi Tharoor and the Congress leadership ahead of the Kerala assembly polls. Jerath observes that Tharoor 'has been needling his party for a long, long time' in an attempt to project himself as a chief ministerial candidate. The discussion highlights Tharoor's recent statements on Operation Sindoor and his praise for L.K. Advani, which have reportedly miffed the party high command. Jerath points out that while Tharoor maintains a profile in Thiruvananthapuram, he has struggled to carry the local Kerala unit with him, leading to a strategy where the party has begun to ignore his unilateral actions. The panel, including BJP's Tuhin Sinha and political consultant Nikhil Jain, debates whether Tharoor remains indispensable to the Congress or if the BJP is successfully 'stirring troubled waters' to exploit internal rifts within the opposition party.
On this Special Report, the focus is on Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's defiant stance after skipping a crucial party meeting to attend the Jaipur Literature Festival. Tharoor asserted, 'I will tell the party leadership directly what I have to say,' emphasizing that certain matters should not be discussed publicly. The Thiruvananthapuram MP also addressed his position on 'Operation Sindoor,' stating he remains unapologetic despite it being a point of disagreement with his party. While party colleague Imran Masood downplayed Tharoor's importance, others defended his right to speak his mind in a democracy, especially regarding national interests. The transcript highlights how Tharoor's actions have provided ammunition to the NDA ahead of the Kerala polls, as he continues to balance his roles as a global literary figure and a proactive politician. The programme explores the growing internal differences within the Congress party and the implications of Tharoor's praise for the Prime Minister's initiatives.
On this special report, the focus is on Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's decision to skip a crucial party meeting in Delhi ahead of the Kerala elections. Tharoor, who instead attended the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode, remained defiant regarding his absence, stating, 'We'll tell the leadership what I have to say.' The veteran leader noted that it is not right to publicly discuss certain internal matters but confirmed he would raise his concerns directly with the party high command. The transcript highlights a potential rift within the Congress party, especially following reports of Tharoor feeling insulted at a recent Mahapanchayat event in Kochi. While the party leadership attempted to frame his absence as a result of prior commitments, Tharoor's refusal to explicitly deny reports of discontent suggests underlying friction. The programme examines how this internal discord might impact the Congress party's prospects in the upcoming assembly polls in Kerala, where the BJP is also attempting to make significant inroads.
On this Special Report, the focus is on the internal dynamics of the Congress party following a high-level strategy meeting in Delhi. Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala addressed the absence of Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor from the session, which was attended by Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to discuss Kerala poll preparedness. Chennithala clarified the situation, stating, 'Mr. Shashi Tharoor had a program in Calicut. It's a Kerala Literary Forum program. He has fixed it much earlier.' He dismissed speculations of a rift or internal discord, asserting that Tharoor remains a committed member of the party and had recently attended events in Wayanad and Cochin. The discussion also highlighted the party's confidence in the United Democratic Front (UDF) performance, with leaders aiming to cross the 100-seat mark in the upcoming elections. The programme explores the Congress's efforts to maintain a united front amidst seat-sharing talks and campaign planning for the Kerala assembly polls.
On this India Today special report, anchor Swetha details the Congress party's strategic shift ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections. Following a high-level meeting, Swetha notes that 'Rahul Gandhi, sources said, made it clear that the chief ministerial base will be decided only after elections.' The leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge, has reportedly warned state leaders that infighting will not be tolerated, emphasizing a united front under collective leadership. The bulletin highlights the absence of Shashi Tharoor from the strategy meet, which the party attributed to prior commitments in his constituency despite speculations of a rift. Swetha discusses how ground reports suggest the United Democratic Front (UDF) currently holds an edge over the LDF. The report also addresses the growing presence of the BJP in urban Kerala, posing a challenge to the traditional power dynamics. The Congress leadership remains confident, aiming to cross the 100-seat mark by maintaining unity and avoiding public controversies among veteran leaders.
This episode of Newstrack focusses on the deepening internal friction within the Congress party in Kerala ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
On this Special Report, Maria Shakeel examines the deepening internal friction within the Congress party in Kerala ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The focus is on Thiruvananthapuram MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor, who reportedly skipped a crucial strategy meeting attended by Rahul Gandhi. Maria Shakeel notes, 'Tharoor skipped the Congress High Command's Kerala strategy meet altogether, reportedly upset with both the party leadership over what is seen as lack of due respect by Rahul Gandhi.' The programme features veteran Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who downplays the rift, claiming Tharoor had prior commitments at a literary forum. However, the report highlights past instances where Tharoor’s praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and LK Advani caused friction with the party brass. The discussion, featuring Shehzad Poonawalla and Sanjay Jha, explores whether the Congress can afford to alienate a prominent face like Tharoor as the BJP gains ground in urban Kerala, particularly following their performance in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections.
This edition of India First, anchored by Gaurav Sawant, examines Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s blistering attack on the Congress party in Kerala as he sounded the BJP's poll bugle for the upcoming assembly election.
This episode of India First features a debate regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticisms of the Congress party in Kerala. Congress representative Dr. Karuna Sagar accuses the Prime Minister of communal polarisation and cites 1,318 alleged hate speeches by BJP leaders in 2025. In response, BJP National Spokesperson Sanju Verma defends the government’s economic record, noting India has overtaken Japan as the world's fourth-largest economy with a growth rate exceeding 7.5%. Verma highlights the success of the Ujjwala Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, claiming multidimensional poverty has dropped to 1.3%. Panelists Suman C. Raman and Abhijit Iyer-Mitra analyze Kerala's political dynamics, the influence of Jamaat-e-Islami, and the 'Urban Naxal' narrative. The discussion contrasts the BJP's electoral strike rates in Maharashtra and Haryana against the ideological shifts between the Left and Congress. This news segment examines the intersection of economic data, welfare schemes, and communal rhetoric ahead of regional political contests.
This report examines the escalating internal friction within the Congress party in Kerala ahead of the 2026 elections. The rift centers on Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who reportedly skipped a high-level meeting on Kerala election strategy. Sources suggest Tharoor is miffed with both the state leadership and the central High Command, particularly following a protocol breach at the Kochi Mahapanchayat where his seniority was allegedly ignored. The transcript notes that 'Shashi Tharoor will skip the high command's meeting on Kerala election strategy' as he reportedly gave precedence to a visit by the Prime Minister. This friction follows previous instances where Tharoor’s public stances, including praising LK Advani and calling the Emergency a 'dark chapter', diverged from the party line. As the BJP rises in urban Kerala, the Congress faces a dilemma over whether it can afford to sideline a leader popularly known as 'Vishwapuran' in a do-or-die electoral battle.
In this special report, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches a scathing attack on the Congress and the CPI(M) during a rally in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Addressing the political landscape, Narendra Modi stated that the Congress 'has adopted positions that are more communist than those of the Maoists and more communal than that of the Muslim League.' The Prime Minister branded the opposition as the 'Muslim League Maoist Congress,' accusing them of engaging in appeasement politics and lacking a clear development agenda for the state. The report highlights the BJP's strategy to position the NDA as a viable third alternative in Kerala, traditionally dominated by the LDF and UDF. Narendra Modi further raised issues of alleged corruption, citing the Sabarimala gold theft and irregularities in co-operative banks, promising accountability if the BJP is voted to power. While the Left dismissed the remarks, the Prime Minister's speech signals the BJP's intent to breach the southern barrier and challenge the established political order in Kerala.
This Special Report examines Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intensive campaign tour across Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where he characterized the DMK administration as a 'corruption, mafia, and crime' government. The program features a high-stakes debate between political spokespersons and analysts regarding the National Democratic Alliance's electoral strategy and the rare joint appearance of EPS and TTV Dhinakaran. BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha alleges the DMK has stalled critical development projects, while DMK spokesperson Dharanidharan defends the state's 11.2 percent growth rate. Key discussion points include the 'double engine government' narrative, fiscal discrepancies in central funding, and the controversial delimitation process affecting South India's parliamentary representation. The report covers the Prime Minister's inauguration of infrastructure projects in Thiruvananthapuram and the Congress party's response to the BJP's southern outreach. Panelists evaluate whether the BJP can challenge the established Dravidian model in Tamil Nadu or the political duopoly in Kerala ahead of the upcoming elections.
This news report examines the growing friction within the Congress party as Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor skipped a high-level Kerala election strategy meeting in Delhi. While sources indicate Tharoor 'obtained permission from the party high command to be absent' to attend a government program with the Prime Minister in his constituency, the move has fueled speculation of a 'mega split' in the Kerala unit. The bulletin highlights that this is not an isolated incident, noting previous instances where Tharoor's positions on the Emergency and legislative bills diverged from the official party line. Tensions reportedly escalated following a protocol breach at the Kochi Mahapanchayat, where Tharoor was allegedly ignored by the top brass. Despite these internal fault lines, the Congress leadership, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, continues to focus on the upcoming assembly elections, urging state leaders to maintain discipline and avoid public displays of infighting that could damage the United Democratic Front's (UDF) electoral prospects.
In this Special Report, India Today reporter Rahul Gautam provides details on the internal friction within the Kerala Congress as MP Shashi Tharoor skipped a crucial election strategy meeting in Delhi. While the AICC leadership and Rahul Gandhi met with Kerala MPs, Tharoor remained in his constituency, Thiruvananthapuram, for a government event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rahul Gautam notes that 'Mr. Sashi Tharoor had already taken permission from the high command that he'll not be able to come for today's meeting given the fact that there is a program of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his constituency'. Despite the reported permission, the absence has raised concerns within the party due to Tharoor's previous instances of missing key organizational events, including a December rally and a CPP meeting. The report highlights the challenges the Congress faces in maintaining a united front in Kerala ahead of the upcoming elections while the BJP observes the unfolding political dynamics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s election rally in poll-bound Kerala on Thursday saw a warm and light-hearted moment when he paused his speech to acknowledge a young child in the crowd holding up his picture, drawing loud applause. Modi asked the boy to hand over the photograph, write his home address on the back, and promised to write to him personally, directing SPG personnel to handle the picture carefully as a token of the child’s affection.
In this Special Report, the focus is on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, where he is launching a series of development projects across railway connectivity, tech, and urban sectors. During his address, the Prime Minister stated that 'Kerala is looking to break free from the LDF and the UDF', signaling the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) intent to make significant inroads in the state. The visit follows the BJP's recent victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections, which the party views as a major ideological shift in a state traditionally dominated by the Left and the Congress. Reporter Shibi Mall highlights that the Prime Minister is set to flag off four new trains and lay the groundwork for 'Mission Kerala 2026'. The programme explores the BJP's strategy to expand its footprint in the southern state ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, aiming to move beyond its historical performance and establish itself as a primary political player.
This Special Report, anchored by Nagarjun Dwarkanath, examines critical political developments across South India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kerala and Tamil Nadu to launch the NDA election campaign, criticizing the LDF, UDF, and Congress alliances. In Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister addressed a rally in Madurantakam, while Chief Minister M.K. Stalin introduced an assembly resolution opposing the G. Ramji Bill to protect the original MNREGA framework. The bulletin features an exclusive interview from the World Economic Forum in Davos with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who addressed leadership change speculation and a potential power-sharing formula with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Legal updates include the Karnataka High Court lifting the ban on bike taxis for aggregators like Ola and Uber. Regional reports cover internal rifts within the AMMK and Congress, the long-pending Rasimanal Dam project in Dharmapuri, and the legal pursuit of justice for Vachathi assault victims. This edition provides factual analysis of shifting alliances and legislative shifts defining the southern electoral landscape.
In this address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrates the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) significant victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Nagar Nigam, describing it as an 'extraordinary and historic' win that lays the foundation for a BJP government in Kerala. Highlighting the mandate as a vote for good governance and a 'Viksit Kerala', Modi asserts: 'The people's feelings for me are thousands of times more powerful than these railways .' He addresses critics who dismiss his interactions with children and supporters as 'drama', stating he will not insult the hard work of young admirers. Modi further criticises the LDF and UDF for decades of injustice and corruption that hindered the city's development. He promises a new era of progress, pledging to transform Thiruvananthapuram into a model city and one of the best urban centres in India, urging citizens to maintain their faith in the BJP's vision for development.
