Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress leader, has secured his fourth consecutive term in the Lok Sabha from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram constituency. Tharoor defeated BJP's Rajiv Chandrasekhar by a margin of 16,077 votes, obtaining 358,155 votes compared to Chandrasekhar's 342,078 votes.

As per the Election Commission of India, the results declared so far show the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) winning 122 out of 240 seats, with the Indian National Congress securing 53 seats. Other notable results include the Samajwadi Party with 15 seats and the All India Trinamool Congress with six seats.

Expressing his gratitude after the victory, Tharoor remarked, "It's a blessing for the fourth time. I will try my best to earn the trust of the voters. The T20 World Cup was on, but the Super Over was in Thiruvananthapuram. BJP has fought hard." He also emphasized that the result sends a strong message to the BJP, asserting that communal propaganda will not succeed in Kerala.

BJP candidate Rajiv Chandrasekhar expressed his disappointment, stating, "It is disappointing. We worked hard. We campaigned very positively. 340,000 people supported us, which is a record number. I believe we are on the right track. But I was disappointed not to win. My commitment to Thiruvananthapuram and its people remains steadfast."

Shashi Tharoor has maintained a winning streak in Thiruvananthapuram since his first election victory in 2009. His political career began after a distinguished stint at the United Nations, where he held various significant positions, including Director of Communications and Special Projects and Executive Assistant to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Born in London in 1956, Tharoor's family returned to India when he was two. He completed his schooling in Bombay (now Mumbai) and later graduated in history from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University in 1975. He then pursued an MA in International Relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, where he also earned his PhD in Law and Diplomacy, becoming the youngest person to do so at the age of 22.

Tharoor began his career at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva in 1978. He served as the head of the UNHCR office in Singapore from 1981 to 1984 and later held senior positions at the UN. Tharoor transitioned to politics in 2008, choosing to join the Congress party due to ideological alignment.

Apart from his political career, Shashi Tharoor is a renowned columnist and author, contributing to major publications like the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Guardian. He has published numerous books that have been translated into multiple languages.

Shashi Tharoor's victory in Thiruvananthapuram reinforces his stronghold in the constituency and underscores his enduring popularity. His return to the Lok Sabha is expected to bolster the Congress party's presence and influence in Indian politics.