KOCHI: Twenty20 is planning to contest in at least 50 panchayats, municipalities and the Kochi corporation in Ernakulam in the upcoming local body election as it looks to strengthen its presence. The party, which currently rules in four panchayats and has two members in the Ernakulam district panchayat, believes its welfare initiatives and development-oriented approach would help win more seats in the election.
“We will be contesting a minimum of 50 panchayats in full panel, as well as in municipalities and the Kochi corporation. Wherever we are competing, we will be contesting in all divisions. The people of Kerala are also looking for an alternative. We have become a strong party and can make a considerable impact in the local body election,” Twenty20 coordinator and Kitex Garments MD Sabu Jacob told TNIE.
The party, formed in 2015, contested the election at Kizhakkambalam panchayat in 2015 and won 17 out of 19 seats. In the 2020 local body elections, it expanded its presence to three more panchayats in Ernakulam: Aikaranad where it won all 14 seats, Kunnathunad where it secured 11 of 18 seats, and Mazhuvannoor where it bagged 14 seats out of 19.
The party has two representatives in Ernakulam district panchayat: Umamaheswary K R from Kolenchery division and Nasar P M from Vengola division.
“In the 2021 assembly election that was held four months after the local body polls, our candidate Sujith P Surendran secured 42,701 votes. Now, we have a presence across the state and have party committees in all 14 districts,” he said.
Kizhakkambalam and Aikaranad recently announced additional welfare projects for the 2025-26 fiscal, like deciding to foot 25% of household power and gas bills.
“There was surplus budget, Rs 32 crore in Kizhakkambalam and Rs 14 crore in Aikaranad, indicating corruption-free governance. So the next step is people’s welfare, as the public should also get the benefits of the surplus. Twenty20 has a scientific approach towards development, while others continue to follow traditional politics. Our aim is welfare, prevention and long-term planning,” Sabu said.
He said panchayats and local bodies have restrictions and limitations. “While implementing projects in the four panchayats, we have to approach the court for nod to distribute mosquito bats as the state government denied permission. Local bodies need to be given more powers,” he emphasised.
The party also fielded two candidates in the General Elections last year. Charly Paul secured 1,05,642 votes in Chalakudy, while Antony Jude bagged 39,808 votes in Ernakulam constituency.
From one local body in 2015 to four in 2020
Twenty20 came to power in Kizhakkambalam in 2015 and expanded its presence to three more panchayats in Ernakulam in the 2020 local body elections. They were Aikaranad where it won all 14 seats, Kunnathunad where it secured 11 of 18 seats, and Mazhuvannoor where it bagged 14 seats out of 19.