Kochi: In a significant political development just ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has forged a crucial alliance by bringing the Twenty20 party into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Kerala.
The pivotal decision was reached during a meeting held in Kochi between BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Twenty20 party president Sabu M Jacob. Both leaders subsequently made a joint announcement regarding the new political alignment.
The BJP anticipates that the inclusion of Twenty20 in its front will yield substantial benefits, particularly in the Ernakulam district. This strategic move by the BJP, aimed at bolstering its influence in the forthcoming elections, is expected to bring about notable shifts in the state’s political landscape.
Further solidifying the alliance, Twenty20 president Sabu M Jacob is scheduled to share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. Discussions regarding this alliance had previously taken place when Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Kerala. Rajeev Chandrasekhar had also actively pursued efforts to integrate Twenty20 into the NDA, culminating in today’s decisive meeting.
This marks the first time since its formation that Twenty20 will be part of a major political front. The party had experienced setbacks in the recent local body elections, losing control of two out of the four gram panchayats it previously governed. Additionally, it lost representation in two district panchayat divisions and one block panchayat.
Twenty20 managed to retain power only in the Kizhakkambalam and Aikkaranad panchayats, securing all 16 seats in Aikkaranad. However, the party lost its administration in Mazhuvannoor and Kunnathunad panchayats. Despite these losses, Twenty20 emerged as the single largest party in Thiruvaniyoor and Poothrikka panchayats.
In the Vadavucode block, where the party previously held significant influence, Twenty20 secured only five seats this election cycle. They won six seats in Mazhuvannoor, seven in Poothrikka, six in Vengola, nine in Thiruvaniyoor, two in Puthankurish, and one division in Thrikkakara Municipality. The party also lost the Kolenchery and Vengola divisions in the District Panchayat. Outside Ernakulam, Twenty20 managed to win two wards in the Manakkad panchayat in Thodupuzha.