{
  "id": 10008857,
  "title": "Gyanesh Kumar suggested I contest on BJP ticket in 2019, says ex-Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/gyanesh-kumar-suggested-i-contest-on-bjp-ticket-in-2019-says-ex-chief",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T15:37:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/gyanesh-kumar-suggested-i-contest-on-bjp-ticket-in-2019-says-ex-chief-secretary-jiji-thomson/article71513288.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Keralam Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson disclosed on Saturday (September 26) that Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had recommended him to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket from Pathanamthitta. Thomson clarified that this was a \"friendly suggestion\" and not an actual offer. The suggestion came when Kumar inquired about Thomson's retirement plans during a flight journey to Delhi. Thomson had stated that he had no retirement plans at the time. Kumar remarked, \"You are a good speaker; you can actually enter politics and you have a very good chance of getting elected\". Thomson, who belonged to a minority community, also mentioned that Kumar had suggested a cabinet berth for him. At that time, the BJP was looking for Christian candidates in Kerala. Thomson, however, declined the suggestion stating, \"I am not too ambitious\". He also addressed reports suggesting a senior government position for him if the United Democratic Front (UDF) returned to power in the state. Thomson's priority, he emphasized, has always been Bhaavika, a charitable organization running a free student enrichment program.",
  "summary": "Jiji Thomson, who terms it a friendly suggestion rather than an offer, says he declined to pursue politics",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "IHRM urges International IDEA to remove Gyanesh Kumar from chairmanship",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/ihrm-urges-international-idea-to-remove-gyanesh-kumar-from",
        "published": "2026-09-26T13:51:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}