Twenty 20 Party
Indian political party
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Twenty 20 Party is an Indian political party active in the state of Kerala. It originated as a corporate social responsibility intiative of the Anna Kitex Group, led by Sabu M. Jacob, at Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam district. The party made its electoral debut in the 2015 Kerala local elections.[2] It has a significant presence in Ernakulam district.[5][6]
Twenty 20 Party | |
|---|---|
| |
| Abbreviation | TTP[1] |
| Leader | Sabu M. Jacob[2] |
| Founder | Sabu M. Jacob[2] |
| Founded | 2015[2] |
| Headquarters | Building No. IV/172, Ikkarnadu Panchayath, Kadayiruppu P.O., Kunnthunadu Taluk, Ernakulam — 682311[3] |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre |
| ECI Status | Registered Unrecognised |
| Alliance |
|
| Seats in Rajya Sabha | 0 / 09 |
| Seats in Lok Sabha | 0 / 20 |
| Seats in Kerala Legislative Assembly | 0 / 140 [4] |
| Election symbol | |
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| Party flag | |
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Alliance
In May 2022, the party formed an alliance with Aam Aadmi Party under the name People's Welfare Alliance.[7] The alliance was dissolved in December 2023.[8]
In 2026, the Twenty20 Party became a part of the National Democratic Alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
History
Twenty 20 Party is a nonprofit charitable organization promoted by the Kitex Garments, a garment exporting company part of the Anna Kitex Group—ranked in Forbes Asia's 200 Best Under A Billion Dollar companies. In the 2015 Grama Panchayat elections, the organization won 17 out of 19 seats in the village council and secured 69 percent of vote share. According to Sabu M. Jacob, the Managing Director of Kitex Garments, the victory was because of the failure of the prevailing political parties. Kitex Garments disbursed its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for the development and welfare schemes undertaken by Twenty 20[9][10]
Electoral performance
Kerala Local Body Elections
2015
In the 2015 Kerala local elections, Twenty20 won 17 out of 19 seats in Kizhakkambalam Grama Panchayat.[11]
2020
During the 2020 Kerala local elections, party won 20 seats in Kizhakkambalam, 9 seats in Aikkaranadu panchayat, 5 seats in Kunnathunad and 5 seats in Mazhuvannur.[12]
2025
In the 2025 Kerala local elections, Twenty20 retained control of Aikaranad Grama Panchayat by winning all 16 seats, and secured a majority in Kizhakkambalam Grama Panchayat with 14 out of 21 seats. In Thiruvaniyoor Grama Panchayat, the party won 9 out of 18 seats.
However, the party lost control of Kunnathunad and Mazhuvannoor grama panchayats, where it had previously held representation.[13]
Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections
2021
In the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election, 8 candidates of Twenty20 were contested but no one won the election.[14]
2026
In the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly election, 19 candidates are contesting as part of NDA alliance.[15] But failed to secure a single seat.[16]
Controversies
Speaking to a section of media, KITEX group managing director Sabu M Jacob, who is also the chairman of Twenty20, said he was "forced" to buy electoral bonds for giving contributions to mainstream political parties as it was "essential for the existence of business ventures".[17]
NDA alliance and internal dissent (2026)
In January 2026, the Twenty20 Party's decision to align with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led to internal dissent, with several leaders and office-bearers resigning from the party and joining the Indian National Congress.[18] The dissidents alleged that the decision was taken without consultation with party bodies.[18]
In April 2026, Pooja Jomon, president of the Poothrikka panchayat and a party member, resigned in protest against the alliance.[19][20] She stated that the resignation followed disagreements over the alliance and alleged that party convenor Sabu M. Jacob had threatened her, including by referring to a previous party member who had died after an accident.[21][20]