Thiruvananthapuram: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is holding a nationwide program to rejoice its one centesimal anniversary, however this week’s one occasion in Kerala attracted particular consideration not due to its grandeur however due to the presence of former police chief Jacob Thomas. On Wednesday, Thomas attended a celebratory occasion close to Kochi, carrying a conventional Solar uniform, and in his speech, he mentioned that the group doesn’t discriminate primarily based on caste or faith and is working in direction of nationwide building.
After fierce ties with the state’s left authorities, Thomas retired in 2020, joined the Bharatiyajanata social gathering in 2021, and failed parliamentary elections from Torisser’s constituency that 12 months. Having maintained his inconspicuous up to now, he has introduced plans to turn into a full-time sampler charak.
Thomas, who joined final 12 months, R. Sreelekha and TP Senkumar, who joined in 2017, is one among three former Indian Police Providers officers within the state who’ve been concerned within the BJP lately, and posted his retirement. All three share related tales when it comes to their respective tenure as executives. It is a struggle with the state authorities.
This additionally goals to develop the state bases for votes, up to now, its influence has been restricted to Suresh Gopi’s solely victory within the 2024 Lok Sabha election at Thrissur, and to O. Rajagopal in Nemom Meeting Ballot along with the 2016 native elections.
Kerala-based political analyst Joseph C. Matthew advised the print version that involvement of retired civil servants could in a roundabout way enhance the BJP’s place within the state, however might change perceptions surrounding the social gathering.
“Persons are being pushed to the opposite facet not solely on the left, but in addition by the Congress. They’re leaving as a result of they need sponsorship. I do not assume they’re innate supporters of the BJP,” he mentioned. “However numbers alone do not matter. In addition they have to look again to the bottom. I do not assume they nonetheless have an excellent catch in Kerala, apart from SureshGopi.”
The retired civil servant advised distinguished civil servants that it isn’t mistaken for executives to take part in politics after retirement. “It is a private alternative. For these three people, maybe the one one who’s approached them was the BJP. It is troublesome to enter Congress and safe positions as many leaders are already competing for the publish. The left often offers with independents.
Thomas himself advised the print version that his relationship with RSS started lengthy earlier than his retirement. “My relationship with Solar is just a few years previous. It was the primary time I had ever met a company and was nonetheless serving in 1997. So I wasn’t visibly concerned within the actions.
Thomas added that RSS attracted him due to his job’s self-discipline, values and selfless nature. He determined to turn into extra energetic after the group approached him to take part within the one centesimal anniversary program.
Friction on the left
Usually, Thomas’ first conflict with the Kerala authorities got here in 2015 below the Chandi-led United Democratic Entrance administration of Ommen. This adopted his investigation into the Bar bribery case, which allegedly concerned former finance minister and Kerala Congress (M) chief KM Mani, and KM Mani, a longtime UDF ally.
When the Pinarayi Vijayan-led left democratic entrance got here to energy in 2016, Thomas was resurrected as Chief of Vigilance and praised the federal government’s anti-corruption stance. Nonetheless, by the second half of 2017, the officers had turn into critics of the federal government’s voice after releasing his autobiography. Sravukalkkoppam Neentumbol (Swimming with the shark), it incorporates sharp criticism of its governance, and assaults on each left-wing and parliamentary leaders, together with former prime minister Oummen Chandi. His continued criticism of the state authorities’s insurance policies led to his suspension.
Shortly after his retirement in 2020, Thomas joined the BJP in 2021 in entrance of Social gathering President JP Nadda. Within the parliamentary vote that 12 months, he completed third in Torisser’s Ilingjarakda. However with 22.12% of votes, he elevated the social gathering’s vote share in his constituency by nearly 2 share factors in comparison with 2016. The winners of the CPI(M) candidates secured 40.27%.
Like Thomas, TP Senkumar additionally had a tense relationship with the LDF. This can be a dispute that arrived on the Supreme Court docket. Officers who investigated a number of well-known instances, together with the 2012 homicide of TP Chandrasekaran, the chief of the revolutionary Marxist Social gathering (RMP) that concerned CPI(M) employees in 2016, had been eliminated as DGP after the LDF got here to energy in 2016.
Equally, Kerala’s first feminine IPS officer, R. Sreelekha, claimed that she was on the sidelines and her profession was broken each earlier than and after her retirement. A 1987 batch officer, she joined the BJP in October 2024, in entrance of social gathering president Okay. Surendran. In July this 12 months, she was appointed vice-president of the social gathering. She additionally runs her YouTube channel, Sasneham Sreelekhashe shares political and private views and criticizes the Left and Congress.
BJP common secretary Dr. Renu Suresh advised the print version that bureaucrats are drawn to the social gathering as they’re seen as viable options for the event of the state. “In the event that they wish to serve the nation, they know that the BJP is the selection. We’re all working for political energy. We’ve got the ability within the Centre. We all know that everybody can obtain that in Kerala,” she mentioned.
Nonetheless, each the CPI(M) and the Congress have dismissed bureaucrats’ entry into the BJP as “egocentric.”
“Many bureaucrats have just lately proven their loyalty to the best. We are able to solely see it as an try and revenue from the social gathering of energy within the Centre. It has little to do with ideology or politics.”
Congress spokesman Sandeep Varrier mentioned that the entry of retired officers into the BJP could not convey political advantages to the social gathering itself. “In 2021, Thomas’ candidacy didn’t assist the BJP in any respect. Even in Tamil Nadu, Anamarai’s management ended miserably and ruined the BJP alliance. It was a failed experiment. It will be the identical in Kerala.”
(edited by Mannat Chugh)
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