Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is accused by Congress leaders of offering a BJP ticket and ministerial berth to former Kerala chief secretary Jiji Thomson in 2016.
The claim surfaced after a Keralam Congress post on X quoted Kumar saying, "I can give you a BJP ticket and a ministerial berth," a statement posted on October 1, 2023.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition, blasted Kumar in a tweet reading, "Modi and Shah made him the umpire and put him in charge of match‑fixing India’s elections," echoing the Congress narrative that the CEC acted as a political recruiter.
BJP spokespersons denied any direct involvement, labeling the allegations as "politically motivated," while the CJP and the Communist Party (Marxist) pledged to stage a nationwide protest if Kumar does not resign by September 27.
Aaditya Thackeray has offered support for the march scheduled for October 2 in Mumbai, and CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke urged citizens to "save democracy" on Gandhi Jayanti.
Organizers expect thousands to march in cities across India, with the protest aimed at pressuring the Election Commission to act on the claims.