ERNAKULAM — In a major political shockwave just ahead of the election finale, the Twenty20 party has faced a significant setback. Puthrika Panchayat President Pooja Jomon has resigned from her position and her party membership, protesting the party’s decision to share a stage and form an alliance with the NDA (BJP).
This resignation will result in Twenty20 losing its governance of the Puthrika Panchayat.
Clash of Ideologies Explaining her departure, Pooja Jomon stated that she became a part of Twenty20 viewing it as an independent political movement. She clarified that the party’s recent decision to share a platform with the NDA goes against her personal ideals and ideology, leaving her with no desire to continue associating with the party.
Allegations of Threats from Leadership Following her decision to step down, Jomon levied serious allegations against Twenty20 Chief Coordinator Sabu M. Jacob, claiming he threatened her. According to Jomon, Jacob made an indirect threat by referencing a former member who had previously resigned and subsequently died after being hit by a school bus. She alleged that Jacob ominously told her, “Let nothing like that happen, may God protect you.”
Shift in Panchayat Power Dynamics The political balance in the Puthrika Panchayat was previously tied, with both the UDF and Twenty20 holding 7 seats each. Twenty20 had originally secured the governing power through a draw of lots. With Jomon’s resignation, Twenty20 loses its crucial majority and its hold over the panchayat.
Twenty20 Leadership Cries Foul Responding to the sudden development, Sabu M. Jacob dismissed the resignation as a political drama orchestrated by the Congress. Pointing out that Jomon was formerly a Congress worker, Jacob alleged that the move was the result of a conspiracy led by V.P. Sajeendran.
Jacob expressed confidence that the departure of one president would not affect the party’s standing and stated that the public would deliver a strong reply to these political maneuvers in the elections.
