Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson has alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar suggested in 2016 that he contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as a BJP candidate and later become a Union minister.
According to Thomson, the suggestion was made during a flight to Delhi when both were in government service. Thomson said Kumar asked about his plans after retirement and suggested that he contest the 2019 elections, become an MP and eventually a minister.
Thomson said he immediately rejected the idea, telling Kumar that he had no interest in entering electoral politics.
“We were good friends. He asked me what my plans were after retirement. I said I didn't have any plans in particular. I told him that I wanted to come up with plans to improve the future of my children,” Thomson said.
“He then advised me to contest as a BJP candidate in the 2019 elections and later become an MP and a minister. It was in 2016. We were travelling to Delhi together. I told him that elections were not in my plans and that I was not interested,” he said.
Thomson’s remarks come amid criticism of the Election Commission and demands for action against Gyanesh Kumar. The CPI(M) and other parties have called for protests against the Election Commission, while the CJP has said it would hold a nationwide protest if Kumar does not resign.
