Poothrukka Panchayat President Resigns Amid Twenty20 and NDA Controversy

Pooja Jomon, the president of the Poothrikka Panchayat in Kochi, has resigned from her position and her party membership in Twenty20 on April 6, 2026. Her departure has effectively ended the Twenty20 party’s administration of the local body ahead of the upcoming assembly polls.

Jomon cited ideological differences as the primary reason for her resignation, specifically protesting the party’s decision to align with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She stated that she had joined Twenty20 viewing it as an independent political movement and that the decision to share a platform with the NDA contradicted her personal ideals and the party’s founding principles.

Impact on Local Governance

The resignation has shifted the power dynamics within the Poothrikka Panchayat. Previously, the political balance was tied, with both the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Twenty20 holding seven seats each. Twenty20 had originally secured the right to govern the panchayat through a draw of lots to break the tie.

With Jomon stepping down, Twenty20 has lost its crucial majority and its hold over the administration of the panchayat.

Allegations of Threats and Retaliation

Following her decision to exit the party, Jomon leveled serious allegations against Sabu M. Jacob, the Chief Coordinator of Twenty20. She claimed that Jacob issued an indirect threat by referencing a former party member who had resigned and subsequently died after being struck by a school bus.

According to Jomon, Jacob told her, Let nothing like that happen, may God protect you, which she interpreted as an ominous warning.

Party Response and Counter-Claims

Sabu M. Jacob and the Twenty20 leadership have dismissed Jomon’s claims and the circumstances of her resignation. Jacob described the move as a political drama orchestrated by the Congress party.

the Twenty20 party has alleged that Jomon’s resignation was linked to financial transactions involving the Congress party. To support this claim, the party stated it has released audio evidence suggesting monetary exchanges occurred behind the resignation.