Kalpetta: Drawing inspiration from the Twenty20 initiative that brought perceptible civic improvements in Kizhakkambalam and a few neighbouring panchayats in Ernakulam district, and amid mounting discontent among Kerala’s trading community, the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) is poised to make its political debut in Wayanad district. The influential traders’ organisation has announced plans to contest the upcoming local body elections either by fielding its own candidates or by supporting community members running under the banners of established parties.

KVVES, which claims a membership exceeding 10 lakh across 14 districts in Kerala and more than 4,000 local units, also oversees over 1,000 traders’ complexes or Vyapara Bhavans.

Two units in Wayanad district’s Ambalavayal and Thavinjal village panchayats have already resolved to enter the electoral fray. The campaign is underway, and this is attracting considerable attention within the district’s political circles. Echoing Twenty20’s model, KVVES is also considering leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to spur regional development.

The organisation’s state-level strategy is centred on securing representation in civic bodies. They argue that the absence of a traders’ voice has led to persistent marginalisation by successive local administrations.

“We have endured years of neglect. It is time our concerns are heard,” said Jojin P Joy, KVVES Wayanad district president. “Our state committee has approved a plan to ensure the presence of at least a few traders’ representatives in each civic body. We will either field our own candidates or support those who back our cause.”

The organisation anticipates that more traders-backed candidates will emerge as the campaign gains momentum. In Wayanad, the grievances are tangible. O V Varghese, president of the Ambalavayal KVVES unit, accused the existing panchayat administration of exploiting traders by imposing excessive fines and escalating licence fees and room rents. “Trade union leaders dominate the roads and public offices. Our customers, all along, are struggling to find parking space,” he alleged. “The administration's attitude is hostile,” he said. 

In its most recent general body meeting, the Ambalavayal unit passed a resolution to contest in three wards , namely, Manjappara (Ward 20), Kuttikkaitha (Ward 7), and Ayiramkolly (Ward 3).

KVVES leaders say the tipping point in Ambalavayal was the substantial rent hike imposed on panchayat-owned shops, the curbs on customer parking, and the proliferation of unlicensed mobile traders. “Traders in permanent establishments are burdened with a dozen compliance certificates,” Varghese said. “Meanwhile, mobile traders operate freely without any such obligations.”

He added that the shop rents, traditionally subject to a 5 per cent annual increment, were raised by 15–20 per cent in one go. “Factor in the 18 per cent GST, and our margins are shrinking dangerously,” he said. 

“Parking spaces have been effectively monopolised by various unions (autorickshaws, jeeps, trucks). This leaves no room for farmers or buyers to access shops and trade establishments. Everyone, from informal workers to small traders, is being squeezed,” he said.

The Ambalavayal unit, with over 700 members, is banking on its organisational strength to make a political impact. “We are confident of securing a considerable vote share. This is just the beginning. We need a seat at the table to articulate our issues,” Varghese added.

The political ripples are already being felt. With around 80 per cent of KVVES members reportedly leaning towards the United Democratic Front (UDF), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) appears particularly wary of the development. The party has launched a campaign urging both traders and the public to stay away from what it terms ‘direct political adventurism.’

Founded in 2015, Twenty20 made a strong debut by sweeping all wards in the Kizhakkambalam panchayat in that year’s local body elections, dealing a major blow to both the Congress and the CPM. In the 2020 local body polls, the party broadened its presence by contesting in several panchayats across Ernakulam district and securing control in four — Kizhakkambalam, Kunnathunad, Mazhuvannur, and Aikaranad. The party now plans to further expand its base by contesting in more seats, including in corporations and municipalities, in the upcoming local body elections. This move is part of its strategy to strengthen its footing ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Though Twenty20 fielded candidates in select constituencies during the recent Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, it failed to make significant electoral gains.