Palakkad, 29 Jan (H.S.):A major political shake-up is unfolding within Twenty20 in Kerala, as nearly 50 leaders and workers in Palakkad district have resigned en masse, protesting the party’s decision to align with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The resignations signal growing internal dissent and raise fresh questions about the future direction of the party in the State.
Among those who quit is Kalpana Devi, former president of the Muthalamada grama panchayat, along with several senior and grassroots-level functionaries. The exodus has been particularly visible in Muthalamada, where a meeting of party workers culminated in an official announcement of their resignation. Similar group resignations have also been reported from the Nenmara and Nelliyampathy regions of Palakkad district, indicating that the unrest is not confined to a single local unit.
The leaders who stepped down said they had collectively decided to sever ties with Twenty20 and function independently as a Janakeeya Vikasana Samithi (People’s Development Committee). According to them, remaining independent would allow them to serve the public more effectively, free from political constraints and alliances that do not reflect their core values or local aspirations.
Addressing the media after the meeting, the dissident leaders strongly criticised the manner in which the alliance decision was taken. They alleged that Sabu M Jacob, the founder and key decision-maker of Twenty20, chose to make the party an NDA constituent without holding detailed discussions within the organisation or consulting grassroots leaders. Such a unilateral approach, they said, undermined internal democracy and alienated long-time workers who had been committed to the party’s original vision.
This is not the first instance of resistance within Twenty20 over the NDA tie-up. Earlier, a section of party workers in Ernakulam district had resigned in protest against the same decision. Those leaders later went on to join the Indian National Congress, further highlighting the ideological discomfort among certain sections of Twenty20’s cadre with the NDA alignment.
Political observers see the latest resignations as a significant setback for Twenty20 in Palakkad, especially at a time when Kerala’s political landscape is becoming increasingly polarised. Whether the party leadership can contain the fallout and prevent further defections remains to be seen, but the episode has clearly exposed deep internal fault lines over strategy, ideology, and decision-making.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
