Archive · 27 Sep 2026
Former Kerala Chief Secretary Alleges CEC Sought BJP Candidate
Jiji Thomson, a former senior official from Kerala, says Gyanesh Kumar spoke to him about joining the BJP in 2016.
Thomson says this happened during a flight to Delhi.
He says Kumar praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered the possibility of becoming a minister after winning an election.
Thomson says he refused.
Several opposition politicians used the claim to accuse Kumar of favoring the BJP.
The BJP rejected the attack and questioned Thomson’s own record.
The article does not provide independent proof of the conversation.
It also notes that one politician described the alleged offer as being for an MLA election, while Thomson’s quoted account referred to a Lok Sabha election.
Jiji Thomson alleges that Gyanesh Kumar urged him in 2016 to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Pathanamthitta on a BJP ticket.
Thomson says Kumar praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and suggested that victory could lead to Parliament membership and a Cabinet post.
Rahul Gandhi, V. D. Satheesan and Mahua Moitra cited the allegation to attack Kumar’s credibility and demand or imply his removal.
The account has not been independently substantiated in the article, and questions were raised about why Thomson disclosed it years later.
The BJP responded by highlighting Thomson’s past controversies and calling the alleged flight conversation unproven.
- Who
- Former Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson made an allegation about Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; opposition politicians subsequently criticized Kumar.
- What
- Thomson alleged that Kumar encouraged him to contest an election as a BJP candidate and suggested he could become a minister.
- When
- The alleged conversation reportedly occurred in 2016; Thomson’s claim and the political responses were reported on September 26, 2026.
- Where
- Thomson said the conversation took place on a flight to Delhi and concerned the Pathanamthitta constituency in Kerala.
- Why
- Opposition leaders used the allegation to question Kumar’s impartiality, while the BJP used Thomson’s past controversies to challenge his credibility.
Opposition allegations
BJP rebuttal
Kumar’s political impartiality
Opposition allegations
Opposition politicians said Thomson’s account showed that Gyanesh Kumar had acted as a BJP recruiter or agent and therefore lacked credibility as Chief Election Commissioner.
BJP rebuttal
The BJP rejected the implication and argued that the alleged 2016 conversation was unproven.
Timing of the disclosure
Opposition allegations
The article presents the allegation as potentially useful to opposition criticism of Kumar during disputes over the electoral-roll revision process known as SIR.
BJP rebuttal
The BJP questioned why Thomson did not disclose the alleged approach in 2016 or when Kumar became Chief Election Commissioner, suggesting the timing was politically motivated.
Thomson’s credibility
Opposition allegations
Opposition figures treated Thomson’s account as evidence against Kumar’s impartiality.
BJP rebuttal
The BJP highlighted Thomson’s involvement in the Palmolein imports case and other controversies, arguing that his past record weakened his value as a whistleblower.
- Alleged conversation
- Thomson said Kumar approached him during a 2016 flight to Delhi.
- Proposed election
- Thomson’s quoted account referred to the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Pathanamthitta on a BJP ticket.
- Thomson’s response
- He said he promptly declined the alleged offer.
- Political reaction
- Rahul Gandhi, V. D. Satheesan and Mahua Moitra criticized Kumar based on the allegation.
- BJP response
- The BJP questioned the unproven flight account and highlighted Thomson’s past controversies.
- Past legal matter
- Thomson was named as an accused in the Palmolein imports case, which the article says remains pending before the Supreme Court.
- Other controversy
- A vigilance investigation was initiated in 2016 over reported spending of Rs 1.35 crore on renovation of Thomson’s official residence.