Thiruvananthapuram: The Twenty20, a political outfit backed by garment manufacturing large Kitex Clothes, that made a shock entry into Kerala politics within the 2015 civic physique elections is gearing up for a big enlargement. It plans to contest round 55 panchayats and three municipalities—Thrikkakara, Maradu and Aluva—and the Kochi Company within the native physique polls in Kerala later this yr.

Launched in 2013 as a company social duty initiative of garment manufacturing large Kitex Clothes, the Twenty20, headquartered in Ernakulam’s Kizhakkambalam, gained the Kizhakkambalam Grama Panchayat in Ernakulam district in its debut ballot in 2015, securing 17 of the 19 seats.

The outfit doesn’t comply with any specific political ideology, moderately it’s pushed by “politics of welfare and clear governance”, with a concentrate on providing subsidies and fundamental infrastructure. It additionally calls itself a substitute for the “corrupt politics of conventional events”.

Sabu M. Jacob, Kitex Group managing director and chief coordinator of the Twenty20, informed ThePrint the organisation has fastidiously chosen the 55 panchayats which it could contest.

“Not like different political events that solely turn into lively throughout elections, now we have been constantly strengthening our celebration since its formation,” he stated, including the outfit now has a powerful grassroots presence in these 55 panchayats unfold throughout Central and southern Kerala—from Palakkad to Thiruvananthapuram.

Kerala has a complete of 1,200 native self-governing our bodies together with 941 grama panchayats, 152 block panchayats, 14 district panchayats, 87 municipalities, and 6 firms.

In response to Sabu Jacob, the choice to broaden was pushed by the sturdy public help within the group’s current native our bodies. He stated the result of this election will play a vital function in deciding whether or not to contest future meeting polls.

The Kitext Group was Based by Sabu Jacob’s father M.C. Jacob in 1968. Sabu turned its chairman in 2006. The corporate and its administration have had frequent run-ins with the state’s ruling Left Democratic Entrance (LDF) throughout Sabu’s tenure.

Sabu has additionally repeatedly confronted allegations from each LDF and United Democratic Entrance (UDF) native MLAs in Kochi of working a polluting enterprise within the state.

In 2021, the businessman alleged pointless frequent inspections on his premises by authorities, and stated he was compelled to maneuver his enterprise out of the state. The identical yr, he introduced to shift Rs 3500-crore value of funding to Telangana. In June this yr, the group additionally held talks with the Andhra Pradesh authorities to take a position there.

The Communist Social gathering of India (Marxist)-led Kerala authorities has rejected Sabu’s criticism, saying his assertion must be seen within the context of his affiliation with the Twenty20.

Kitex is likely one of the largest private-sector employers in Kerala led by a Malayalee. In response to Sabu, it employs 16,000 folks within the state, most of whom are interstate migrants.

With a market cap of Rs 5,608.94 crore, the corporate recorded a revenue of Rs 138.73 crore after tax in FY 2024-2025, marking a development of 146.28 % in revenue after tax in comparison with the earlier fiscal yr, in keeping with an Financial Occasions Markets report.

“Politics for us will not be about incomes. The folks on this motion are hardworking. If folks help us, we are going to proceed. We determined to broaden as a result of the 4 panchayats we already maintain are very supportive. But when we lose, we are going to settle for it and never think about contesting the meeting polls. These native physique elections are essential for us,” he stated.

The Twenty20 has additionally contested meeting elections earlier than. Within the 2021 Kerala meeting polls, it fielded candidates in eight constituencies within the Ernakulam district. Though it didn’t win any seat, its candidate in Kunnathunad, Sujith P. Surendran, got here third, forward of the NDA candidate. The group briefly shaped an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Social gathering (AAP) in Could 2022, however it got here aside the next yr over ideological variations.

Sabu Jacob stated the Twenty20 management has sought an inventory of 5 names from every chosen ward to finalise candidates, with age, schooling, and household background being essential components.

“We primarily search for folks beneath 40 years, graduates, and people from good household backgrounds who should not creating any nuisance within the area,” he stated, including the candidates will likely be finalised in coming months.

---

Additionally Learn: Kerala native polls ‘1st step to dethroning Pinarayi’, Congress steps up voter join with door-to-doors

---

Confidence on the grassroots

On the grassroots, Twenty20 staff expressed confidence they’d carry out nicely within the native physique polls. Mathews Paul, a ward member in Aikkaranad panchayat, stated their groundwork started two years in the past with the formation of booth-level committees.

“One committee member works instantly with 10 homes in every locality,” he stated. “As soon as we’re assured in regards to the work there, we are going to subject the candidates.”

He added the celebration’s focus stays firmly on Ernakulam.

Sabu Jacob stated the celebration has sturdy organisational constructions in all chosen panchayats, noting that Kizhakkambalam alone has a 2,400-member committee. “Now we have related energy in different areas.”

One other panchayat member, Jeel Mavalil, stated they take confidence from the developmental work they’ve been endeavor of their gram panchayats.

“Once we got here, the roads had been in dangerous situation, and the road lights weren’t functioning. We fastened all of it in 4 years. All residents had been beneficiaries of a minimum of one in every of our schemes,” he stated.

Each Paul and Mavalil stated they joined the Twenty20 after witnessing “optimistic modifications” in Kizhakkambalam following its 2015 victory.

Jacob added that the celebration ensured meals and drugs safety by subsidised outlets in native our bodies it governs. In Kizhakkambalam, it runs a restaurant offering free meals and a health club for residents, funded by the panchayat funds and sponsorships.

“We guarantee corruption-free governance with transparency. That’s what we hope to broaden to different locations too,” he stated.

(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)

---

Additionally Learn: Kerala now ‘satan’s personal nation’ — why southern state’s ‘CSR celebration’ Twenty20 tied up with AAP

---