Shashi Tharoor, D Raja face-off after CPI fields candidate from Thiruvananthapuram

A war of words broke out between Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and Communist Party of India's general secretary D Raja over their respective parties fielding candidates in each other stronghold constituencies.

Tharoor was the first to hit out at the CPI for fielding its candidate from his constituency Thiruvananthapuram and questioned their "alliance dharma".

"Last two elections the BJP came second, if they're really so concerned about opposition unity why are they undercutting my vote by running a candidate whose campaigning has been entirely against me? I have not heard the left speaking against the BJP, they're speaking against me all the time and trying to take away for example minority votes," he told ANI news agency.

"This is a tactic which can only help the third party namely the BJP, so I'm asking the CPI what are you talking about? Why are you doing this here? And then demanding alliance between Dharma and Wayanad be consistent that's my message."

Raja reacted strongly saying that it was the Left that was fighting communal and fascist forces.

"It is an absurd statement. An educated man like Shashi Tharoor must understand the history of Kerala properly. It is the Left that is fighting the communal and fascist forces...so many Congress leaders are leaving and joining BJP," Raja told ANI news agency.

"Rahul Gandhi claims that he is spearheading the fight against BJP, then why is he contesting from Wayanad and fighting against LDF? Congress must explain, what message they want to convey to people. Who are their main political enemies," he added.