Twenty20’s NDA entry may redraw Ernakulam electoral map, raising stakes for LDF and UDF

Kochi: The political contest in Kerala’s Kunnathunad constituency is set to intensify sharply after Twenty20 aligned itself with the NDA. Kunnathunad remains Twenty20’s strongest base. In the last Assembly election, Twenty20 secured 41,890 votes in Kunnathunad. The sitting MLA, P V Srinijin (LDF), won with 51,180 votes, while UDF candidate V P Sajeendran finished second with 48,463 votes. The NDA, at the time, managed only 7,056 votes.

In the recent local body elections, the UDF polled 55,888 votes, closely followed by Twenty20 with 50,712 votes. The LDF secured 43,014 votes.

With BJP backing now in place, Twenty20 leader Sabu Jacob believes turning the tide is possible in Kunnathunad. It is expected to be a high-stakes triangular contest. However, how party ranks respond to this new political alignment is seen as a decisive factor.

A major share of Twenty20’s support base comes from Christian and Muslim minority communities. Whether these voters back Sabu Jacob’s move to join hands with the BJP-led NDA remains a key unanswered question.

In Muvattupuzha, the LDF’s defeat was attributed to the Twenty20 candidate’s intervention. While Twenty20 secured 13,600 votes, LDF candidate Eldo Abraham lost by 6,100 votes. The NDA polled 7,600 votes there. In Perumbavoor, Twenty20 captured 20,536 votes, and the UDF won the seat with a majority of 2,899 votes.

With Twenty20 now part of the NDA, it is expected to significantly alter the electoral balance in both constituencies.

Twenty20 had also contested in Ernakulam, Kothamangalam, Thrikkakara, Vypin and Kochi in the previous election. In several Ernakulam district constituencies, the party commands greater support than the BJP.

In Puthencruz panchayat, the UDF currently governs with Twenty20’s backing. The NDA realignment has now raised questions over the stance the UDF would take there.