As vote counting progressed on May 2, 2021, following the Kerala Assembly elections, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor framed the early trends as a clear rejection of incumbent LDF governance. Speaking to NDTV, he asserted that voters had prioritized systemic change over individual popularity, signaling political maturity. With the UDF leading in nearly 90 seats within the first hours, Tharoor described the momentum as exceeding expectations, positioning the outcome as not merely a government change but a potential historic realignment in Kerala’s political landscape.

Preliminary Election Commission data showed the Congress ahead in 50 seats, the IUML in 17, and allies like the CPI and Kerala Congress (M) contributing to a consolidated UDF advantage. In contrast, the CPI(M)-led LDF trailed with leads in fewer than 50 seats, while the BJP-led NDA managed only marginal gains. These trends suggested a significant setback for the ruling front, which had governed since 2016. Tharoor highlighted the symbolic weight of leading in 99 constituencies at one point, though he cautioned that confirmation would require full count completion.

When questioned about the next Chief Minister, Tharoor emphasized the party’s formal process, stating that the decision would emerge from consultations between elected MLAs and the Congress president, with final authority resting with the central leadership. He refrained from endorsing any candidate, instead noting the party’s 'abundance of talent'—a carefully neutral stance amid speculation over succession. This deference to the 'high command' echoed longstanding internal dynamics, where state leadership choices are often finalized in Delhi, sometimes generating local dissent.

Veteran leader P.J. Kurien later confirmed that while multiple leaders were qualified, only a shortlist of three was under active consideration—though he declined to name them. His comments reinforced the notion of an impending, top-down decision, even as the party projected unity. The outcome, if confirmed as a decisive UDF win, would place immense pressure on the incoming administration to deliver on promises of transparency and efficiency, particularly after a campaign centered on governance failures. Looking ahead, the Congress must navigate internal expectations, coalition equities, and a public demand for accountability, turning a numerical advantage into sustainable political legitimacy.