‘Kerala needs more money from Centre,’ says Shashi Tharoor ahead of Budget

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will take a leading role in the UDF campaign in Kerala, and is expected to visit all 140 constituencies, party leaders said. Tharoor described his recent meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge as constructive and focused on party unity. On the Union Budget, he said it’s difficult to predict outcomes in an election year but Kerala needs stronger central funding. On the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, he called it a major opportunity for Indian exporters, though full benefits will take time as EU member countries complete ratification.