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Dhanya Rajendran

What is Shashi Tharoor’s next political move?

ED Shashi Tharoor Bharatiya Janata Party Tasmac Dhanya Rajendran Pooja Prasanna Shabbir Ahmed the Supreme Court TNM NL (Organization)

Welcome to this week’s Powertrip, a political newsletter exclusively curated for TNM and NL subscribers by Dhanya Rajendran, Shabbir Ahmed, and Pooja Prasanna. What next for Shashi Tharoor after he’s back from his ongoing visits abroad? Even those close to him offer differing theories. We sifted through the noise to tell you what we gathered. Despite being rapped by the Supreme Court in the Tamil Nadu TASMAC case, we hear the ED is preparing to file an affidavit based on WhatsApp conversations to justify the investigation. Karnataka BJP MLA Munirathna Naidu is facing a new gang-rape complaint, which has sparked dissent from within the party ranks.

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Where does Shashi Tharoor see himself next?

Shashi Tharoor is never far from the news cycle. As he makes headlines for remarks during his ongoing visits abroad – this time as part of a parliamentary delegation – the question on many minds is: what happens when he returns to India?

Speculation is swirling, and even those close to him offer differing theories. We sifted through the noise, and here’s what we gathered.

The most persistent buzz is that Tharoor will first resign from the Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party’s highest decision-making body – a move that would be significant given the prestige attached to a seat there. This could be followed by his resignation from the Congress party itself. But for Tharoor to take such a step, he would need assurances – and those would likely have to come from the BJP and Narendra Modi directly.

Among the options being discussed: a shot at becoming Minister of External Affairs; India backing him in the UN elections next year; or a prestigious diplomatic post. A newer theory gaining traction is that the BJP may consider him for the post of Vice President. There is also some chatter about him launching a regional party of his own, but those familiar with him say that’s highly unlikely.

While much of this remains in the realm of speculation, two things appear clear: the rift between Tharoor and the Congress is beyond repair, and if he does choose to join the BJP, it will likely be a last resort.

Even after SC rap, ED to file affidavit based on WhatsApp chats in TASMAC case

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) faced a sharp rebuke from the Supreme Court in the high-profile Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) case, with the bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai accusing the agency of “crossing all limits” and violating constitutional norms. The court’s interim stay on the probe, delivered on May 22, brought a wave of relief to Tamil Nadu’s ruling circles.

The Supreme Court’s remarks, particularly its demand for clarity on the predicate offence in the money laundering investigation, mark a significant setback for the ED. The agency had been aggressively targeting officials of the state-run TASMAC, liquor distilleries, and those with close ties to the ruling DMK, including confidants of the party’s first family.

Despite the temporary legal blow, the ED is preparing to file an affidavit in court to justify the investigation. Sources told TNM that the affidavit will rely heavily on WhatsApp conversations. These chats, the ED claims, were between Ratheesh Raj Velu and TASMAC Managing Director Visakan IAS.

Ratheesh, a low-profile businessman but one believed to be a close aide of Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, has emerged as a central figure in the ED’s probe. The ED will allege in its affidavit that he issued directions to TASMAC officials and played a key role in the corporation’s operational decisions.

Visakan, a senior IAS officer, had his digital devices seized during the ED’s raids. Though investigators claim they recovered multiple chats with Ratheesh that hint at procurement decisions and discussions around bar tenders, it is unclear what is the criminality that ED can prove.

While the ED is expected to cite these conversations as evidence of irregularities and political interference in TASMAC’s operations, the Supreme Court’s stinging observations have momentarily shifted momentum in favour of the Tamil Nadu government.

Fresh case against BJP MLA Munirathna sparks internal revolt

Munirathna Naidu, the BJP legislator from Bengaluru’s Rajarajeshwari Nagar and a former Congress leader, has a long-standing history of criminal allegations. Now, a new gang-rape case, filed by a BJP worker, has intensified pressure on the BJP leadership, with dissent emerging from within the party ranks.

Munirathna, who switched to the BJP in 2019, remains politically isolated in his new party. In 2023, he was named in a rape case currently under investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), alongside several other ongoing cases. With this fresh case surfacing, senior BJP office-bearers and internal critics are urging the state leadership to take immediate action.

Sources indicate that Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra has apprised the party high command of the situation and is awaiting further direction. Meanwhile, party insiders claim Munirathna has begun exploring back-channel communications with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as his political prospects within the BJP appear increasingly bleak. The cases he faces, and his strained relationship with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and his brother DK Suresh, further complicates any potential return.

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