KOZHIKODE: K Muraleedharan MP came forward reacting on the controversy of an undeclared ban on Shashi Tharoor MP in Congress. Tharoor is an integral part of the party. Muraleedharan stated that Tharoor is one who is in the forefront of the Congress in the fight against communalism. Muraleedharan responded by calling a press meet at the DCC in Kozhikode after the Congress and Youth Congress withdrew from the event involving Tharoor.

'No one has opined to reject Tharoor. Even when Tharoor contested for the post of AICC chief, Muraleedharan had stated that he is the best candidate to stand for Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram. He will also be involved in party activities in Kerala. He will be campaigning for Congress. There is nothing wrong in Tharoor visiting senior leaders. There is no need to look at it in any other way. The presence of Congress will be there in any of his programmes. Congress is a broad party and there will be many eyes in it. We should acknowledge the capable. The party will move forward by accepting Tharoor's capability. He can never be kept apart,’ said Muraleedharan.

The speculations started after the Youth Congress withdrew from the seminar to be held in Kozhikode with the participation of Tharoor. It was decided to organise the seminar on the topic ‘Sangh Parivar and challenges to secularism’. It is known from the party sources that the Youth Congress withdrew from the function following the direction of top leaders not to hold it with the participation of Tharoor. In the wake of the withdrawal of the Youth Congress, the seminar will be conducted by Jawahar Foundation, a cultural organization functioning in Koduvally. The reception in Malappuram DCC was also cancelled.