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Jiji Thomson's Claim Against Gyanesh Kumar Ignites BJP Counterattack
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News18•27-09-2026, 14:50
Jiji Thomson's Claim Against Gyanesh Kumar Ignites BJP Counterattack
- •Former Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, then an IAS officer, asked him in 2016 if he would contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election as a BJP candidate from Pathanamthitta.
- •Thomson stated he declined the suggestion.
- •Gyanesh Kumar has not yet publicly responded to these allegations.
- •The controversy has intensified political debate, bringing the Palmolein Case into focus.
Key Questions Answered
Former Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson alleged that during a 2016 flight to Delhi, Gyanesh Kumar asked him while serving as an IAS officer if he would contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Pathanamthitta as a BJP candidate, potentially becoming a Union minister.
According to reports, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has not publicly responded to the allegation made by Jiji Thomson.
Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan demanded that CEC Gyanesh Kumar should not continue in office, alleging he acted as a BJP agent and undermined democracy. Meanwhile, the BJP responded to opposition attacks by accusing parties of misleading people over the election commission issue.
