RSS pushing BJP to induct suspended Kerala cop Jacob Thomas?

IPS officer Jacob Thomas, the former director of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Kerala government, is likely to join the BJP.

Senior RSS leaders in Kerala are reportedly lobbying with the BJP top brass in Delhi in favour of the controversial IPS officer, who had been at loggerheads with successive UDF and LDF governments in the state.

Thomas has held preliminary talks with RSS leaders in Delhi on the suggestion of its leaders in Kerala.

It is said BJP leaders in Kerala are not aware of Thomas's bid to join their party, which is eager to woo the minority community in Kerala.

Thomas was suspended late last year by the Pinarayi Vijayan government over a speech criticising the government. Thomas also faces a few cases against him.

Thomas made a bid to contest the recent Lok Sabha election from Chalakudy, but it fizzled out as his application to retire voluntarily from service is yet to be processed. The state government is yet to hand over the file regarding the voluntary retirement request of Thomas to the Union ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions.

The state government is likely seeking more details about cases against Thomas before despatching his file to the Centre. Thomas is otherwise due for retirement only in 2021.

Another Kerala top cop, ex-DGP T.P. Senkumar, too had hobnobbed with the BJP and RSS and was said to be a contender for a Lok Sabha seat. He too had strained ties with the LDF government before retiring from service after a legal battle.

This story was originally published in onmanorama.