Kochi: Twenty 20, the party of a corporate house, has tasted victory by winning 17 out of 19 seats in Kizhakkambalam panchayat in Ernakulam district.
Twenty 20 is a political party under Anna-Kitex Group of Companies, one of the largest private sector employers in Kerala. The company had fielded 19 candidates in all wards of the Kizhakkambalam village Panchayat posing a challenge to the LDF, UDF and the BJP.
It’s the first time in the history of civic body polls in the state that a corporate group has fielded its candidates in the polls. Twenty 20 contested in all wards of the Panchayat, block divisions and district Panchayats.
The garment manufacturing group which has its production units in Kizhakkambalam, claims that its aim was to make the region a model village. However, the rival parties allege that the company wants to take over the control of the Panchayat to further its business interests.