BJP pulls off strategic coup in Kerala as Twenty20 joins NDA

Kochi: In a significant political development that could reshape Kerala’s electoral landscape, the BJP has finalised an alliance with the Twenty20 party, with the Kizhakkambalam-based outfit set to formally join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The decision was sealed at a crucial meeting in Kochi between BJP state President Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Twenty20 Chairman Sabu M. Jacob, marking the first time since its formation that Twenty20 has aligned with a major political front.

The move comes at a politically charged moment, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.

Jacob is expected to share the stage with the Prime Minister, underlining the political significance of the new alignment.

The outreach had been in the making for some time, with Jacob previously holding discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Kerala.

Chandrasekhar, too, had been actively pursuing talks to bring Twenty20 into the NDA fold, culminating in Thursday’s decisive meeting.

The BJP sees the alliance as a key component of its strategy to secure a major breakthrough in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Party leaders believe that Twenty20’s entry into the NDA will substantially strengthen the BJP’s prospects in Ernakulam district, where the party has so far struggled to convert presence into electoral success.

The development is expected to alter existing political equations and trigger fresh debates across the state.

Responding to the development, Jacob said the BJP-led government at the Centre represented a development-oriented governance model, signalling ideological comfort with the alliance.

For the BJP, the tie-up is aimed at expanding its social and electoral footprint in a State traditionally dominated by the Left and the Congress-led UDF.

However, Twenty20’s recent electoral performance presents a mixed picture.

In the last local body elections, the party managed a clean sweep in Aikkaranad but suffered setbacks in its stronghold of Kizhakkambalam, winning only 14 seats in the panchayat.

It also lost control of Kunnathunadu and Mazhuvannoor panchayats, though it emerged as a strong presence in Thiruvaniyoor.

Both the LDF and UDF had tactically backed common independent candidates to dent Twenty20’s dominance in Kizhakkambalam.

Despite fielding candidates in over 50 divisions and announcing plans to capture the Kochi Corporation, Twenty20 failed to make a significant impact in the urban civic body.

Even so, the BJP believes the alliance could prove decisive in future elections, opening a new chapter in Kerala’s political contest, with the Assembly polls due very soon.