Kerala’s Twenty20 defies political parties again, gains more ground

Thiruvananthapuram: In Kerala’s highly-politicised society, it isn’t easy to be a standalone outfit that promises development purely on the basis of socio-economic considerations, staying away from political ideology. But one panchayat out of the 941 in the state – Kizhakkambalam, in the outskirts of Kochi – has taken a different path again.

Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam which beat the combined might of all political parties in 2015 winning 17 of the 19 seats has repeated the feat and gained more ground.

This time, it not only retained Kizhakkambalam winning 18 of the 19 wards, but also won in three neighbouring panchayats and become the largest party in another panchayat.

In Aikaranad panchayat Twenty20 swept all 14 wards, in Mazhuvannoor panchayat it won 13 of the 19 wards and in Kunnathunadu panchayat it won 11 of the 18 wards. In Vengola panchayat which has 23 wards, Twenty20 fell short of a majority but emerged the leader by winning 10 wards leaving Kerala’s frontline coalitions the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front with 5 and 8 seats respectively.

Enthused by the victories, Twenty20 chief co-ordinator Sabu M Jacob has announced that his party would contest the assembly elections next year.

For cleaner governance

Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam was registered as a charitable society in 2013 with the backing of the Anna-Kitex group, a diversified corporate based in Kizhakkambalam, as an alternative to traditional political parties which were seen as corrupt by many of the local villagers.

Led by brothers Boby M Jacob and Sabu M Jacob of the Anna-Kitex group, Twenty20 promised wholesome development and a corruption-free running of the panchayat administration and the organization came to power in 2015.

Prior to this year’s local body polls, Sabu M Jacob had told Gulf News he was confident of Twenty20 doing well not only in Kizhakkambalam but in four more panchayats.

Fierce fight

All other parties reportedly joined hands this time to oust Twenty20, but the organization managed to retain Kizhakkambalam and win three more panchayats. The contest was so fierce this time that a couple identified as Printu and his wife Brijitha were severely beaten up by supporters of political parties when they went to vote, saying they were living in Kizhakkambalam on rented premises.

The couple, forced to return home, came back later with police protection and managed to vote. Following Twenty20’s thumping win, Sabu M Jacob gave a Rs 100,000-reward for the couple for their brave decision to vote despite the violent attack on them. “These are brave children of Kizhakkambalam. They were beaten up so severely and yet they came back to vote”, Jacob said while giving away the reward.

“There is this fellow from Delhi who comes and contests in Wayanad, but this couple from Wayanad who are living in Kizhakkambalam for 14 years are prevented from voting. What should we call these politicians? What class do they belong to?” Jacob asked in an oblique reference to former Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

“We have to recognize these goons and shackle them. This is why Twenty20 is contesting the next assembly election. Somebody has to fight these politicians”, Jacob said.

However, several other outfits inspired by Twenty20 and contested the local body polls failed to make an impact. The V4Kochi in Kochi and the Thiruvananthapuram Vikasana Munnani in the state capital could not win any seat.

Twenty20 performance

Kizhakkambalam 18/19

Aikaranad 14/14

Mazhuvannoor 13/19

Kunnathunad 11/18

Vengola 10/23