The gunman and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s driver were attacked by a five-member group in Kerala’s Wandoor district, police said on Saturday, adding that one person has been detained in connection with the incident.
According to the FIR lodged on the basis of a complaint filed by Tharoor’s driver, Ratheesh KP, the accident took place at Chilithode near Thiruvalli in Wandur at around 7.30 pm on Friday, news agency PTI reported.
According to Indore Police, a case has been registered and one person is currently in custody.
Addressing X, Tharoor confirmed the incident and said that he was fine and no one had touched him in the attack.
“I am really touched by all the messages and calls expressing concern about the untoward incident last night when my security guard was attacked. He is fine and I am not affected. Thanks to all friends and well-wishers. We continued to work bravely yesterday and concluded two more events as planned. Our ongoing program was not affected,” Tharoor said.
What happened
Police officials said that the incident occurred when there was a barricade on Chilithode Bridge while Tharoor was on his way to attend an election campaign of Congress leader A B Anilkumar.
The accused, who were traveling in two cars, allegedly intercepted the MP’s car, according to details in the FIR.
When the militant tried to remove the obstacle, he and the driver were attacked, the FIR said.
Police said the road was narrow and the gunman only asked the car in front of him to move faster to ensure smooth passage of the Thiruvananthapuram MP’s convoy.
One person was arrested late Friday night, and the other accused have been identified, police said, adding that they would be arrested soon.
Shashi Tharoor has been actively involved in the Congress campaign for the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, scheduled to be held on April 9. Votes for the 140-seat Kerala assembly elections will be counted on May 4, along with elections in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and West Bengal.
Speaking during the election campaign for the United Democratic Front candidate in Wandur constituency of Malappuram district on Friday, Shashi Tharoor expressed confidence that the United Democratic Front will get a good majority in Kerala and regain power in the state.
Asked who would become the prime minister if the Congress-led United Democratic Front came to power, Tharoor said the decision was not his place.
He added that the senior leadership of Congress will decide after considering the opinions of the elected representatives.
