Sabu M Jacob's Twenty20 party joins NDA as PM Narendra Modi visits Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KOCHI: In a significant political move, Twenty20, led by industrialist Sabu M Jacob, on Thursday announced its decision to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), citing the need for a change in Kerala’s political culture and governance. In a related development, former MLA A V Thamarakshan and his Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi (JSS) faction also joined the NDA.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to visit Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, will formally announce the developments. Kitex Garments managing director Sabu Jacob announced his decision at a joint news conference with BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Thiruvananthapuram. Chandrasekhar said Twenty20, since its formation, practised a development-oriented model. Recalling Jacob’s move to establish industries in Telangana, he said, “We want him to return to Kerala and contribute to the economic development of the state. This is a crucial election. People will support the NDA and we will work together,” he said.Alliance vital for Twenty20, says SabuI admire Sabu ji not only as a successful entrepreneur and job creator, but also as a political leader who, through Twenty20, practised problem-solving politics focused on the everyday issues of ordinary Malayalees. His decision to join the NDA clearly shows that our vision of a #VikasitaKeralam is resonating across Kerala,” Chandrasekhar later posted on X.Jacob told reporters that such an alliance was vital for Twenty20. He said the LDF and UDF, and organisations like Jamaat e Islami and SDPI, had stitched together a rainbow coalition against Twenty20 in the recent local body elections.“The Congress and CPM even fielded joint candidates against Twenty20 by shunning their election symbols. They wanted to wipe out Twenty20, but we survived. We lost two of our four panchayats, but won in new areas, fighting the combination of 25 parties. It is in this context that we decided to become part of the NDA,” he said.Twenty20 could secure a majority only in Kizhakkambalam and Aikaranad panchayats in Ernakulam, while it lost power in Kunnathunad and Mazhuvanoor. “Our party increased its vote share from 9-12%. It emerged as a decisive third force in Kollam and Palakkad,” he said.Jacob said only an expanding NDA alliance could end the “LDF-UDF duopoly” in the state. “Kerala’s scandaldriven coalition politics has relegated the aspirations of educated youth to the back burner. Many are fleeing the state to make a living,” he said.