Gyanesh Kumar suggested I contest on BJP ticket in 2019, says ex-Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson

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Former Keralam Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson revealed on Saturday (September 26) that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had suggested he contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket from Pathanamthitta.

“It was not an offer but a friendly suggestion. I was serving as the Chief Secretary of Keralam and was nearing the end of my career when, on a flight to Delhi, Mr. Kumar asked about my retirement plans. I said I had no such plans whatsoever. It was at this point that he suggested I could contest from the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency for the BJP,” Mr. Thomson told The Hindu.

What he said was, “You are a good speaker; you can actually enter politics and you have a very good chance of getting elected”. He said since I belonged to a minority community, I would easily get a Cabinet berth. That was a time when the BJP was looking for Christian candidates in Keralam. But I said I am not too ambitious,” Mr. Thomson said.

Mr. Thomson clarified that it was a “friendly suggestion” and not an offer after his earlier remarks about the conversation triggered a political controversy. The conversation took place during a flight to Delhi in the 2015-16 period.

Mr Thomson also referred to reports speculating that he could get a senior government posting if the UDF returned to power in the State.

“But my priority has always been to focus on Bhaavika, a charitable organisation which runs a student enrichment programme absolutely free of cost,” he said.

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