Is this friendly match, asks Tharoor, flays Left for not attacking BJP

The diplomat-turned-politician made the comment after voting in the Kerala capital.

Questions Left

"How is it that the entire Left campaign has focused on attacking me and my party... and not said one word against the BJP, its government or candidate?” Tharoor told NDTV.

“All I am asking is... how is it the entire Left campaign has focused on attacking me? Is this a friendly match?

“Normally, you expect a candidate not only to speak for himself but also attack rivals. But here, there was only one rival being attacked. That was all."

No rift

Tharoor’s opponents are the BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a Union minister, and the Communist Party of India's P Raveendran.

But Tharoor, a prolific writer, played down any possible rift between the Congress and the Left, which are otherwise allies nationally and united to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Each Indian state has its own political character... it is not uncommon that we are allies in one state and not in a neighbouring state,” he said.

State specifics

“In Kerala, the Left and Congress-led UDF (United Democratic Front) have been at loggerheads for over 55 years... that won't change overnight.

"But next door, in Tamil Nadu, the CPM, CPI, Muslim League... are our allies, and the Congress is allied with the DMK. So, no issue... Just as in Delhi the AAP and Congress have an understanding but in Punjab we don't. So, this isn't surprising. Nobody is worried."

Will win again

Asked if he would win from Thiruvananthapuram, Tharoor said: "I am as confident as I was earlier.”