Kerala: Senior leaders quit Twenty-20 after party joins NDA

Ernakulam: Internal fissures ruptured within the Twenty-20, a regional political group exploded after its chairman and founded Sabu M Jacob decided to join the NDA unit in Kerala ahead of the crucial state assembly elections.

Senior leaders of Twenty-20 including former Vadavukode block panchayat president Raseena Pareeth, quit the party and joined the Congress on Friday. She said that more leaders who are unhappy with the decision will quit the party in the coming days and join the Congress.

Twenty20 president and Kitex MD Sabu Jacob, however, said very few leaders were against the party joining the NDA. He also said religion could be a reason that prompted the resignations.

Raseena alleged that Twenty20 had stooped to the status of a recruiting agency of the BJP. "The decision to join the NDA was not discussed with members of the party’s parliamentary board, ward committees, or elected representatives. We came to know about it from the media. The party had decided it won’t align with any front and would be dissolved if such a situation arose,” she told reporters in Ernakulam.

Sabu Jacob admit the decision was not discussed with members

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"I admit we couldn’t discuss it within the party. The BJP leadership also wanted to avoid such a situation. Even the state leaders and alliance partners of the NDA were not informed,” Sabu said, adding that only a few party members had protested against the decision.

"Attracted by our crusade against corruption, people from all walks of life joined Twenty20. Many of them came from Congress and the communist party. A few have decided to return to their mother organisations. Religion may also be a reason that prompted them to leave. We will convene a meeting to discuss the decision,” said Sabu.