Lok Sabha polls: Twenty20—the political party backed by a corporate group to field candidates from 2 seats in Kerala

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came under the scanner for contributing donations via the now-defunct electoral bonds to national and state parties, as per the data shared by the State Bank of India on the directions of the Supreme Court. However, there is one fledgling political party which is completely backed by a corporate group. Kitex Garments- backed Twenty20 party in Kerala has made a foray into the Lok Sabha polls by fielding two candidates.

The party's two candidates are Charley Paul from Chalakkudy and Antony Judy from Ernakulam. Kerala’s 20 Lok Sabha constituencies will go to the polls on April 26 during the second phase of elections. Interestingly, the Twenty20 party's participation in elections is expected to cast a shadow on the prospects of mainstream parties.

ALSO READ: ₹1 crore electoral bonds make up 96% of donations to political parties — Here's a denomination-wise break down In the 2021 Assembly polls, Twenty20 received 42,701 votes, (27.56 per cent) in Kunnathunad which led to the defeat of the Congress candidate. The Twenty20 party is not a completely new political outfit. It is supported by Kitex Group, which is one of the largest producers of children’s garments in the country.

This party was formed as part of the CSR initiatives of the Kitex Group in Kochi. It forayed into electoral politics through municipal elections and fought polls on the anti-alcohol movement, as it promised to make Kizhakkambalam an alcohol-free village. During the 2020 Kerala local body elections, the party secured nine seats in Aikkaranadu panchayat, five seats in Kunnathunad and five seats in Mazhuvannur.