BJP’s Jiji Joseph Challenges Thomson’s Election Ticket Claim, Points to 2017 BJP Event

BJP leader Jiji Joseph on Sunday rejected former Kerala Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson’s claim that he was offered a BJP ticket and a ministerial position, citing Thomson’s participation in a BJP event in 2017 and his subsequent appointment to the board of Cochin Shipyard.

Thomson, who retired from the IAS in 2016, had told a television channel on Saturday that then-serving IAS officer Gyanesh Kumar suggested during a flight journey that he contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket. Thomson also claimed he was offered a ministerial post if elected.

The remarks were subsequently cited by Opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, amid protests over reported differences within the three-member Election Commission on issues related to electoral roll revision, deletion and addition of names, voter forms and access to electoral data.

In a Facebook post, Joseph said political workers normally avoid revealing details of confidential discussions and meetings, but he was making an exception following Thomson’s remarks.

Joseph said that in 2017, when he was state president of the BJP’s Minority Morcha, a senior Sangh Parivar leader had asked him to invite Thomson to a Minority Morcha programme in Kochi organised to honour Mar Chrysostom.

The event was held on June 26, 2017, and Joseph shared photographs showing Thomson on the dais and addressing the gathering. Former minister and UDF leader K M Mani was also present, he said.

Joseph claimed Thomson praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government’s initiatives during the event. He further said Thomson was subsequently appointed an independent director of Cochin Shipyard, a central government-owned company, serving from 2017 to 2020.

“I suspect that he had wanted an even bigger position,” Joseph said.

Joseph concluded his post with the Malayalam proverb, “Kittatha munthiri pulikkum” (grapes that one cannot get taste sour), and wished Thomson well.

Thomson is yet to respond to Joseph’s allegations.