Consultations within party favoured joining NDA, claims Sabu Jacob

The decision to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was not taken on impulse but after consultations with the State Committee and district committees of the party, claimed Sabu M. Jacob, president of Twenty20, a political outfit backed by the Kitex Group.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday (January 24, 2026), Mr. Jacob said the committees had entrusted the party president with making an appropriate decision. During the consultations, 80% supported joining the NDA, a few favoured the UDF, but none wanted to align with the LDF.

He explained that the alliance decision was prompted by the alleged unholy nexus of 25 parties—including the LDF, the UDF, and several communal outfits such as the SDPI and PDP—against Twenty20 in the last local body elections, after growing apprehension over the party’s growing clout.

Describing the alliance as part of the party’s natural evolution since its inception as a charity organisation, Mr. Jacob said that those opposed to the political decision may continue to leave, which is natural. “We don’t blame them, as it is their right. While headlines highlight a few departures, the thousands who have joined the party since the NDA decision go unnoticed,” he remarked.

When asked about the BJP’s secular credentials, he sought to distinguish between the BJP and the NDA. He accused the LDF and UDF of creating divisions among minorities for political gain. “We have never used religion to advance our politics and will not do so in the future. We are confident of finding lasting solutions to the concerns of minorities in Kerala through our influence in the NDA,” Mr. Jacob said. He added that whether the alliance would erode his minority vote base would only become clear after the elections.

He dismissed allegations of a financial deal behind the alliance, stating that only parties driven by money and power could think along those lines. Mr. Jacob clarified that no benefits had been promised to his business as a quid pro quo for joining the alliance, nor was the dip in his company’s stock price a factor. “I have never encashed my stock, so fluctuations in its price do not affect me,” he said.

He further noted that seat-sharing discussions with the NDA for the forthcoming Assembly elections had not yet taken place. Mr. Jacob expressed his ambition to transform Kerala into one of the most developed States, attracting large-scale investments similar to those in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.