Gyanesh Kumar suggested me to contest on BJP ticket in 2019, says former general secretary Jiji Thomson

Jiji Thomson | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO

Former Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson on Saturday (September 26) revealed that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has suggested that 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 Kerala and was nearing the end of my career when Mr. Kumar asked about my retirement plans on a flight to Delhi. I said I had no such plans. At this point he suggested that I could contest from Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency for Thomsonind,” Mr. The H. The H. The BJP said.

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He said: “You are a good speaker, you can really enter politics and you have a very good chance of being elected”. He said that since I belong to a minority community, I would easily get a cabinet berth. That was the time when BJP was looking for Christian candidates in Kerala. But I said I wasn’t 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 sparked a political row. The interview took place during a flight to Delhi in 2015-16.

Mr Thomson also referred to reports speculating that he could get a senior government post if the UDF returns to power in the state.

“However, my priority has always been to focus on Bhaavika, a charity that runs a student enrichment program completely free of charge,” he said.

Published – 26 Sep 2026 20:49 IST