Kochi: Controversial police official and former vigilance director Jacob Thomas is getting closer to BJP and speculations are high that he might join the saffron party soon.

Once a close ally of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Jacob fell out with him after his wings were clipped when he tried to target corrupt bureaucrats occupying top posts.

Jacob’s open criticism and his negative remarks on the Government in his book had further irritated Pinarayi who suspended him for violating service rules and indiscipline.

The government even refused to allow him voluntary retirement to contest last Lok Sabha polls even as his term ends only in 2021.

At the same time he said in a TV interview that he had good relationship with Pinarayi and said he was not ambitious or else he could have got plum postings by appeasing the bosses.

Jacob earned the wrath of both Congress-led UDF and CPM-led LDF by acting against corrupt leaders, including late Finance Minister KM Mani.

Top cop DGP Sen Kumar had also joined the BJP after he antagonised Pinarayi who went to the Supreme Court against Sen Kumar accusing him of going on leave providing false medical certificate.

Top BJP leaders in the State have met Jacob Thomas who seems to have agreed to shake hands with the party..

As a harbinger, he has agreed to attend the RSS meet in Kochi on July 18.

Justifying his decision, Jacob said his association with the RSS began about a quarter century back in 1996. He argues that RSS is the largest voluntary organisation in the country and should not be painted as communal outfit.

RSS leaders have held parleys with him in a bid to woo him as part of getting minority votes. There were attempts to bring him round during the membership campaign held in Thiruvananthapuram the other day after the Prime Minister launched a national campaign in Uttar Pradesh.

Separately, BJP senior leader, VA Velukuttan said no decision had come from Jacob Thomas on joining the BJP. He told The Covai Post that Jacob had claimed to be an RSS supporter and had described it a global voluntary organisation. Beyond that nothing has happened.