Twenty20 Party Aligns with NDA Ahead of Crucial Kerala Assembly Elections
In a significant political development, the Twenty20 party, which is backed by the prominent garment manufacturing giant KITEX group, has officially joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This strategic move comes just ahead of the upcoming Kerala assembly elections, scheduled to take place in a few months. The alliance is expected to substantially enhance the electoral prospects of the BJP-led coalition in the state.
Official Announcement and Key Figures
The announcement was formally made by Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajeev Chandrasekhar during a press conference held on Thursday. He was accompanied by Twenty20 president Sabu M Jacob, who also serves as the Managing Director of KITEX. This declaration occurred just one day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Kerala, adding to the political significance of the event.
Sabu M Jacob is anticipated to share the stage with Prime Minister Modi during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram, where the Prime Minister will unveil various development projects in preparation for the assembly polls. This collaboration underscores the growing synergy between the two political entities.
Expansion of NDA's Political Influence
Prime Minister Modi's visit follows closely on the heels of the BJP's historic victory in the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation election last month. In that election, the BJP secured 50 out of 101 seats and achieved the milestone of electing its first Mayor for the civic body.
Chandrasekhar emphasized that this alliance represents a significant expansion of the NDA's political footprint and its overall influence in the context of the forthcoming elections. He articulated the alliance's objectives to reporters, stating that the primary aim is to propagate the message of 'Viksit Keralam' (Developed Kerala), 'Vishwas Sanrakshanam' (Safeguarding Trust), and 'Surikshit Keralam' (Safe Kerala). According to Chandrasekhar, these principles have been championed by the NDA over the past eleven years under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, with the goal of replicating similar levels of political development across India.
Understanding the Twenty20 Party
The Twenty20 party first gained national attention in 2015 when it won the panchayat elections in its hometown of Kizhakkambalam. Since that initial victory, the party has successfully retained control of the local body for a third consecutive term in the 2025 elections.
As the political arm of the KITEX Garments business group, Twenty20 has consistently emphasized the implementation of development and welfare schemes in the panchayats under its governance. The party claims to have effectively eliminated corruption in these areas, which has bolstered its reputation among voters.
In addition to Kizhakkambalam, Twenty20 also governs another panchayat and has emerged as the single largest party in an additional local body. These areas are part of the Kunnathunad Assembly constituency, which is currently represented by the CPI(M).
Strategic Implications for the BJP
Chandrasekhar highlighted that the NDA is garnering support not only from the average Malayali voter but also from various segments within the political spectrum, including traditional party MLAs and former MLAs. He expressed enthusiasm about welcoming Twenty20 into the alliance, describing it as "the one party in Kerala that has steadfastly stood for development."
With Twenty20 now part of the NDA fold, the BJP is strategically targeting a new battleground in the Ernakulam district. Although Twenty20 contested the Assembly elections in 2021 in several seats within Ernakulam, it was unable to replicate its earlier success from the 2020 local body elections.
Political analysts have indicated that the BJP-Twenty20 alliance could prove decisive in at least four assembly constituencies within Ernakulam district, with potential influence extending to several others. Ernakulam comprises a total of 14 assembly seats, making this alliance a critical factor in the upcoming electoral dynamics.
This partnership marks a pivotal moment in Kerala's political landscape, as both parties aim to consolidate their strengths and present a unified front in the highly competitive assembly elections.
