AAP-Twenty20 not to support any front in Thrikkakara bypoll

The newly formed Aam Aadmi Party-Twenty20 alliance in Kerala has decided not to openly support any of the parties in the coming Assembly bypoll in Kerala but to appeal supporters to vote considering the social and political situations.

The three mainstream parties, Congress, CPM and BJP, expressed hopes of benefitting from the stand of the AAP-T20 alliance - People's Welfare Alliance (PWA).

Sources said that PWA could be trying to avoid embarrassment during its initial days in Kerala. If PWA openly backed a candidate and if that candidate failed, it would be a setback for PWA.

Even as Thrikkakkara in Kochi, which is going to polls on May 31, has been a traditional Congress seat, the ruling CPM is making an all-out effort to win the seat. Twenty20, which is promoted by Kitex group, had fielded candidates in the 2021 Assembly election and secured around 10 per cent votes, which is now very crucial.

CPM leaders stated that the objectives of the Left front and PWA were similar and hence, PWA supporters would vote for CPM candidate Dr Jo Joseph. Congress leaders said that the recent murder of a Twenty20 worker allegedly by CPM activists and the open confrontation between Twenty20 chief and Kitex managing director Sabu M Jacob with the left-front government over raids at Kitex units may benefit Congress candidate Uma Thomas. Jacob was involved in a confrontation with a local CPM MLA recently.

Jacob along with AAP state coordinator P C Syriac Sunday announced the decision to leave it to the party supporters to cast their votes.

Political analysts were also of the opinion that even as Twenty20 was having more enmity with the CPM than the Congress in Kerala, for the PWA's growth in Kerala they may prefer that the Congress becomes weak rather than the CPM.