The electoral scenario in Kizhakkambalam and adjoining areas looked different from the rest of Ernakulam district on Tuesday.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) are contesting the Twenty20-backed Kitex Group in the panchayat.
A group of people who stood outside Bethlehem Dayara High School in Njarackal, where voting was taking place, identified themselves as “anti-20”. They said they included Congress and CPI(M) supporters. They supported a joint independent candidate.
Of the 21 constituencies in Kizhakkambalam, the CPI(M) is contesting in only one, while the Congress has candidates in four constituencies. BJP also has candidates in only four wards. A Congress supporter who was at the election booth was hopeful that the party would prove strong in Kizhakkambalam.
The enthusiasm of Twenty20 activists was seen in all the four panchayats where the party is in power, including Kunnathunad, Mazhuvannoor and Aikkaranadu. This was also the case in neighboring Vengola, where the party made significant progress last time.
Meanwhile, the district Congress leadership exuded confidence that this time Kunnathunad and Mazhuvannoor would be wrested.
He accuses Saba of violence
Meanwhile, Twenty20 president Sabu M. Jacob alleged that CPI(M) and Congress activists unleashed violence when he and his family members went to the polling booth at St. Mary’s Church in Vilang to cast their votes. He claimed that although his party had secured a contract to shoot videos in 139 polling stations in a bid to prevent fraudulent voting, the State Election Commission had not implemented it. He said his party would petition the Election Commission of India and the Supreme Court against it.
CPI(M) leader and Kunnathunad MLA PV Sreenijin rubbished Mr Saba’s allegations and said party supporters had only opposed the Twenty20 chief’s move to talk to TV channels on the polling station premises. “The police earlier in the day did not allow the candidates to stand in the booth premises against the usual norms. So the reaction to Mr. Saba’s move was only natural,” he said.
Published – 10 Dec 2025 0:10 AM IST
