Published Sep 28, 2026 | 7:00 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 28, 2026 | 7:17 PM
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s journey as a bureaucrat began in Keralam as a 1988-batch Kerala Cadre Officer of the Indian Administrative Service. From being the Sub-Collector of Adoor to the Secretary to the Government of Kerala, Kumar served in various roles there.
Now, as the political controversy around the Chief Election Commissioner intensifies, senior leaders in Keralam have launched fresh attacks over his political conduct and his record during his tenure as a bureaucrat in the state.
It all began with former Keralam Chief Secretary Jiji Thomson’s allegation that Kumar had once suggested that he contest the Lok Sabha election on a BJP ticket. The allegation triggered a sharp political response, with the Chief Minister’s Office and Congress leaders demanding greater scrutiny of the CEC’s conduct and questioning his political neutrality and continuation in office.
In a statement, the Chief Minister’s Office described the allegations against Kumar as extremely serious. It alleged that the CEC had compromised the independence and credibility of the Election Commission and accused him of acting in the interests of the BJP.
The statement charged that Kumar had undermined the transparency, impartiality and integrity expected of a constitutional institution and argued that his continuation in office would erode public confidence in the electoral process. It also claimed that the allegations had vindicated concerns earlier raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the functioning of the Election Commission.
Congress leader and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal also stepped up the attack, describing the party’s campaign against the Election Commission as a “second freedom struggle” to protect democracy. Speaking to the media in Delhi, Venugopal alleged that the Election Commission had compromised its neutrality while dealing with electoral-roll revisions. He questioned the manner in which decisions were being taken under Kumar and alleged that the CEC had reduced the constitutional institution to the level of a political party committee.
The controversy prompted CPI(M) central committee member Thomas Isaac to revisit allegations and incidents relating to Kumar’s tenure in Kerala. Isaac referred to a report, published in Onmanorama, concerning an incident from Kumar’s tenure as Ernakulam District Collector.
According to the report, Kumar had faced sharp criticism from then Kunnathunadu MLA and former Minister TH Mustafa during a meeting convened to discuss drought conditions. The discussion reportedly turned tense when Mustafa questioned the Collector over alleged inaction against illegal sand mining. Kumar is reported to have objected to the manner in which the MLA addressed him and asserted his authority as the district election officer.
The exchange allegedly escalated, with Mustafa confronting Kumar. Then Minister TM Jacob and DIG Mohammad Yasin reportedly intervened and took Kumar to an adjoining room, preventing the confrontation from worsening.
Isaac had earlier brought back into the political debate allegations dating from Kumar’s tenure as Kerala PWD Secretary in 2006. He referred to controversies surrounding the Kerala State Transport Project, a World Bank-funded road project.
The controversy followed the suicide of Lee Been Seen, who was in charge of the Keralam operations of Malaysian firm PATI, which was in a joint venture with Bhageeratha Constructions for a road project in the state. A Vigilance inquiry was subsequently ordered into allegations linked to the project, and Kumar was later moved out of the PWD.
The renewed criticism of Kumar comes against the backdrop of the continuing confrontation between the Opposition and the Election Commission over electoral-roll revisions and the functioning of the poll panel.
Also Read:
‘India roars louder than ever’: Gyanesh Kumar SIR, please get out
Why CEC Gyanesh Kumar should resign, and why the appointment process needs to change too
A suicide note and BJP MP offer: Gyanesh Kumar’s Keralam trail comes under scrutiny
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar. Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
