Shashi Tharoor Seeks UN Help for Kerala Floods; State Denies He Is Its Envoy

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said he is in Geneva to seek United Nations help for flood-hit Kerala, describing himself as an emissary of the state government. The Kerala Chief Minister’s office, however, has reportedly said he did not go as its representative.

Tharoor’s claim and the denial

On Twitter, Tharoor said he was glad to meet officials to explore how international bodies such as the UN and the WHO could assist people affected by the floods in his home state. He said he was working in coordination with the Chief Minister’s office and would brief the Chief Minister soon. Sources said the CMO then stated that he was not the government’s envoy.

Political reaction

The BJP accused Tharoor of not being serious. People close to the MP said his own constituency was not affected by the floods, that he holds no executive power, and that he was using his earlier ties with the UN to help the state. Congress sources defended him: “There is nothing wrong with this,” they said.

Sources said the episode could give the BJP more ammunition to ask why Tharoor did not cancel his trip. More controversy was expected, as Congress president Rahul Gandhi is due to address events in Germany and the UK as part of his outreach to non-resident Indians.

The scale of the floods

The Home Ministry has declared the Kerala floods a calamity of severe nature. At least 216 people have died in the rain, floods and landslides, and more than 7.24 lakh displaced people have been sheltering since August 8 in 5,645 relief camps. The state now faces the risk of disease outbreaks. The WHO could help, but that would need the central government’s permission as well as the state’s clearance.

See also: Political leaders

Originally published on 22 August 2018. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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