Thrissur (Kerala):Jacob Thomas, former Kerala DGP and retired IPS officer, who had earlier declared that he would contest for the Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP) in Kerala Assembly elections, has taken an official membership with the BJP on Thursday.
With this, his candidature under the BJP banner in the upcoming elections can be confirmed. However, the BJP is yet to decide on which seat he would be fielded in.
Former Kerala DGP Jacob Thomas joined BJP The BJP State leadership is expecting that the anti-corruption image of Jacob Thomas, a retired IPS officer in the State, would be an asset for the party in the upcoming elections.
Thomas completed his service period while always being involved and named in controversies. When the Pinarayi Vijayan government came to power in Kerala, Jacob, a 1985 batch officer, was deputed to a key position as the Vigilance Director.
His stint as Vigilance Director, which began in a dramatic manner - as he raised red and yellow cards indicating that corrupt persons will have to face the music - did not end in a good note.
By publicly stating that the Government was slow in its response to Ockhi cyclone, Jacob Thomas had irked the CM leading to a suspension. Later, his suspension period was extended many times and he remained under suspension for about 2 years. For his autobiographic book, 'Sravukalkkoppam Neenthumbol' (Swimming with Sharks), which was written without permission, and had dramatic revelations on major political events and leaders, Jacob had to face departmental action. He was found to have violated the All India Service Conduct Rules 1968 and action were initiated against him.
The Government had pointed to Dredger scam and such cases for extending his suspension. There were also allegations that Jacob had earned land in Tamil Nadu through corrupt means.
In this manner, as he started drifting away from the power centres in the LDF government, Jacob applied for voluntary retirement. However, the Government did not consider this application. Following this, he filed a complaint with the Central Administrative Tribunal. His complaint was that the Government is not considering his application for voluntary retirement from the service. Jacob alleged that the State avenging him.
After a detailed hearing on the case, the Tribunal ordered the State to reinstate Jacob Thomas into service. When he was reinstated, Jacob had demanded that he be appointed in the Police Department. However, the Government did not consider this demand either. He got appointed as the Managing Director, Steel and Metal Industries.
Jacob Thomas retired while in this position on May 31, 2020. Even after his retirement, the Government’s approach towards him was not relaxed. Pointing to the financial crisis in the Metal Industries Limited, the retirement benefits which were due to Jacob Thomas was delayed by almost a year. It is the angst and enmity towards Pinarayi Vijayan that led him to associate with the BJP party.
Also Read: BJP giving 'special focus' to Kerala, says Nadda
