NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday asked Shashi Tharoor MP not to participate in the seminar in connection with the CPM party congress. Sonia Gandhi's stance should be seen as a victory for the state Congress leadership, including K Sudhakaran. In addition, many see Sonia's move as a strong warning to G23 leaders who are repeatedly calling for a change of leadership at the national level.

The CPM had invited Shashi Tharoor, KV Thomas and Mani Shankar Iyer to attend the national seminar to be held from April 6 to 10. During a heated discussion this afternoon, Sonia asked Shashi Tharoor to obey the instructions of the state leaders.

According to party sources, leaders from Kerala informed Sonia Gandhi that if leaders including Tharoor attend the CPM seminar, it will be tantamount to insulting the Congress. The leaders also pointed out that the party used to find itself on the defensive when Shashi Tharoor supports projects like K-Rail.

Sonia took a stance against Tharoor after giving enough time to the state leadership to explain its side. Party sources that Tharoor's action of praising the Prime Minister for the BJP's election victory in states, including Uttar Pradesh, did not go down well with Sonia. Political observers have predicted that Shashi Tharoor's future in Congress will not be so good in the coming days.