In an unprecedented political realignment, Kerala's traditional rivals—the Congress, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and the Bharatiya Janata Party—have formed a tactical coalition. Their common goal is to halt the expansion of the corporate-backed Twenty20 party, founded by garment giant Kitex Group, in the upcoming local body elections scheduled for December 9 and 11, 2025.
The Rise of a Corporate Challenger
The Twenty20 party began its journey in 2013 as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the Kitex Group, aiming to transform Kizhakkambalam village near Kochi. This move followed a bitter dispute with the then Congress-ruled village panchayat, which had refused to renew Kitex's operating licence in 2012 over allegations of water pollution from its dyeing units. Notably, a High Court-appointed expert committee later found the company's effluent treatment met pollution control norms.
The party, whose president is Kitex Managing Director Sabu M Jacob, entered the electoral fray and scored its first major victory by winning the Kizhakkambalam panchayat in the 2015 local elections. Its influence grew in 2020 when it secured three additional panchayats in Ernakulam district. Now, with ambitions to contest 48 panchayats, including the Kochi corporation and several municipalities, Twenty20 poses a significant threat to established political orders.
A United Front of Rivals
Faced with this expanding footprint, the CPI(M), Congress, and BJP have set aside their deep ideological differences specifically in Kizhakkambalam. They have strategically fielded common independent candidates across most of the panchayat's 21 wards to avoid splitting the anti-Twenty20 vote. The Congress is contesting only two wards directly, the CPI(M) just one, and the BJP two, despite having contested all seats previously.
Sabu M Jacob has sharply criticized this alliance. He claims there is a covert understanding between the Congress and CPI(M) to ensure a Congress victory in the panchayat, with the Congress reciprocating by supporting the CPI(M) in the upcoming Assembly elections for the Kunnathunad constituency, which includes Kizhakkambalam. He further alleges that these parties are eyeing the panchayat's substantial surplus fund of Rs 32 crore.
Accusations and Counterclaims
Leaders of the mainstream parties have launched a multi-pronged attack on Twenty20. CPI(M) Ernakulam district secretary S Satheesh accused the party of using CSR funds to influence voters and torpedoing democracy by winning almost unopposed in previous cycles. He stated the independent candidate strategy was devised to counter this "apolitical group."
Congress district president Muhammed Shiyas labeled Sabu a "dictator" and claimed the party exploits poverty by offering subsidies and freebies, which has eroded the support base of all traditional parties. A local BJP leader conceded their limited ground presence, especially among women voters, who are reportedly swayed by Twenty20's promise of subsidised provisions.
Sabu Jacob has vehemently denied all allegations. He clarified that the annual CSR fund is a mere Rs 2.5 crore, governed by strict norms, and cannot be used for political purposes. He pointed to 84 rounds of inspections and raids by state agencies over five years across the four Twenty20-ruled panchayats, which found no financial anomalies. His party's pitch is built on a record of abolishing corruption and saving Rs 50 crore in civic funds, which they now pledge to return to residents as a 25% subsidy on electricity and cooking gas bills—a promise currently challenged in the High Court after state government rejection.
The election is also a referendum on popular Twenty20 schemes, like the food safety market offering 50% subsidised provisions, which was shut down ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls following complaints from major parties. Sabu has promised its revival. As Kerala heads to the polls, this unique corporate-political experiment faces its toughest challenge yet from a united, if unlikely, opposition.
