Kochi: Twenty20, the political outfit backed by the Kitex Group led by industrialist Sabu M Jacob, has announced its list of candidates for the Kizhakkambalam Panchayat, becoming the first party in Kerala to unveil its panel well before the local body election notification.

The Kizhakkambalam Panchayat Executive Committee on Tuesday announced 25 candidates, including nominees for the 21 wards of Kizhakkambalam Grama Panchayat, three divisions of the Vazhakulam Block Panchayat, and one division of the Ernakulam District Panchayat (Vengola). These three divisions of Vazhakulam Block Panchayat, and the Vengola division of Ernakulam District Panchayat also come under the Kizhakambalam Panchayat geographically.

In a move that has drawn attention across the political spectrum, the party has fielded 17 women out of 21 candidates in the Grama Panchayat and all women candidates in the Block and District Panchayat divisions, bringing the overall female representation to 90 per cent. In Kizhakambalam Grama Panchayat alone, the female representation is 80.95 per cent. 

“This is the first time in Kerala’s political history that a party has ensured such a high level of women’s participation in governance and nation-building,” said Twenty20 president Sabu M Jacob after announcing the list.

The party, which came to power in Kizhakkambalam, Kunnathunad, Mazhuvannur, and Aikaranad panchayats in the 2020 local body polls, is now preparing for a massive expansion across the state.

Big expansion plans
As part of its 2025 poll strategy, Twenty20 will contest all 76 divisions of Kochi Corporation for the first time, as well as five municipalities in Ernakulam — Tripunithura, Thrikkakara, Maradu, Aluva, and Piravom. 

The party will also field candidates in around 60 panchayats across nine districts, including Palakkad, Thrissur, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Ernakulam. 

Jacob said that the upcoming local body polls are a stepping stone to their bigger goal – the 2026 Assembly elections. He said the party plans to contest in several Assembly constituencies beyond its traditional strongholds this time, including Ernakulam, Perumbavoor, Kunnathunad, Muvattupuzha, Tripunithura, Kochi, Vypeen, Thrikkakara, and Angamaly.  

Candidates in Kizhakkambalam Grama Panchayat
Ambunad (Ward Number 1) - Preethi KG, Malayidamthuruth (2) - Beena Joseph, Makkinikara (3) - Chinnamma Paulose, Karukulam (4) - Mary Elias, Kavungaparambu (5) - Sujitha Mole TS, Chelakulam (6) - Prathima KN, Kummanode (7) - Rajan ER, Choorakkode (8) - Joby Mathew, Choorakkode West (9) - Mini VC, Njaralloor (10) - Deepa Jacob, Kunnathukudy (11) - Praseela Eldho, Vilang (12) - Ambili Vigil, Poyyakunnam (13) - Bini Biju, Kizhakkambalam (14) - Jincy Aji, Pazhanganad (15) - Sheeba George, Maleykkamolam (16) - Radhamani Dhareendran, Thamarachal (17) - Lintha Antony, Oorakkad (18) - Jincy Biju, Kanampurum (19) - Raju KV, Pookkattupady (20) - Gibi Mathai, Pookkattupady North (21) - Rahim MM

Candidates in Vazhakulam Block Panchayat
Chelakulam Division (Number 10) - Nisha Aliyar, Kizhakkambalam Division (11) - Mariyamma John, Pookkattupady Division (12) - Asma PM

Candidates in Ernakulam District Panchayat
Vengola Division (Number 19) - Sajana Naseer 

Twenty20 has already completed the first phase of campaigning in all panchayats where it plans to field candidates. According to Jacob, the party’s poster campaigns, wall paintings, notice distribution, and mic announcements are already done, well ahead of the major political fronts.