Kochi: The Twenty20’s entry into the NDA comes at a time when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reportedly intensified its investigation against Kitex Group, a company owned by the party’s Chief Coordinator Sabu M. Jacob.

The ED has issued notices to the company twice, but Sabu Jacob did not appear in person.

The ED has registered a case against Kitex Group for alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), linked to foreign fund transfers. Despite receiving two notices, Jacob did not present himself before investigators; instead deputing a chartered accountant. It is amid the tightening of this probe that Twenty20 has become part of the NDA.

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On January 22, Jacob announced Twenty20’s alliance with the NDA at a press conference alongside BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The following day, the party was formally inducted into the NDA in the state capital in the presence of Prime Minister Modi. It is worth noting that this marks the first time since its formation that Twenty20 has joined a political front.

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Jacob explained that the decision to align with the NDA was driven by concerns over whether the party could realistically achieve political transformation in Kerala by contesting alone.

Meanwhile, Twenty20 suffered significant setbacks in the recently concluded local body elections. The party lost control of two out of four panchayats it previously governed. It also lost representation in two district panchayat divisions and relinquished its lone block panchayat seat.