Former DGP Jacob Thomas
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP is likely to field former DGP Jacob Thomas either in the Thrissur or Irinjalakuda assembly constituency in the upcoming assembly elections. Thomas’s candidacy is learnt to be more aligned with the interests of RSS than with the BJP leadership in the state.Thomas announced his support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and joined BJP in 2021. He received party membership from the then party national president JP Nadda. On several occasions, the Central leadership has relied on his independent assessments of political developments and organisational matters related to the BJP’s Kerala unit. However, the BJP state leadership failed to utilize his full potential, which somewhat alienated him from BJP activities in the state. He has since then gravitated more towards RSS and its ideology.He hit headlines when he joined an RSS Padasanchalan in traditional RSS attire in Kochi in Oct 2025. In response to questions, Thomas always said that RSS has no caste or religion, adding that the organization works for the society’s welfare.According to BJP sources, fielding Thomas in Thrissur or Irinjalakuda would give members of the Christian community a valid reason to vote for the BJP candidate. They believe that his public image as an anti-corruption campaigner would make him a desirable candidate for all sections of society. Supporters within the party also point to his earlier confrontations with the LDF govt and the raw deal meted out to him by political establishments as factors that may work in his favour as a candidate.At the same time, a section of leaders in the BJP state unit is doubtful about Thomas’s prospects in either constituency. According to them, Union minister Suresh Gopi was a huge let-down as Thrissur MP, and Thomas or any other BJP candidate may find it difficult to overcome that disappointment factor. The weak organisational set-up of BJP in Thrissur is also cited as a concern.They also fear that the better ties the UDF established with Christian churches may also work against BJP. Still, there is a fighting chance for the BJP candidate, they point out. Gopi won 40,457 votes in the last assembly election in the Thrissur assembly seat, though he finished in third position. The victory margin of CPI’s P Balachandran was around 3%. With BJP having increased its vote share in the subsequent Lok Sabha election, Thomas stands a chance to win, according to those who support his candidacy in Thrissur.
