Kerala ex-chief secretary accuses poll chief of offering BJP ticket

Jiji Thomson, who served as Kerala's chief secretary, has made public allegations that Chief Election Commissioner Gnanesh Kumar approached him with an offer to contest elections on a BJP ticket in 2016. Thomson's claims have intensified scrutiny of Kumar's conduct and raised questions about the neutrality expected of India's top election official.

The accusation comes at a sensitive time for the Election Commission, which is responsible for overseeing the country's electoral process. Thomson's statement suggests a potential conflict of interest involving the nation's chief electoral officer, a position that demands strict adherence to impartiality principles.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has separately alleged that Kumar has engaged in "match-fixing" during elections, adding political weight to the mounting criticism. The allegations have prompted demands for clarification from the Election Commission and raised broader concerns about institutional integrity.

The incident underscores tensions between political parties and electoral authorities in India, with opposition leaders increasingly questioning the independence of election management bodies. Officials close to the matter are yet to issue a formal response to the allegations.