Kochi: The BJP is basking under the glory of allying with entrepreneur turned politician Sabu Jacob who was greeted by the Prime Minister for joining the front led by the saffron party at Thiruvananthapuram on Friday.
Modi described the partnership as a reflection of a commitment to people-centric governance.
Sabu, who redefined value based politics in Kerala, rose to the zenith of popularity winning panchayats in Ernakulam kicking out the Left and the Congress led fronts who left local bodies heavily debt-ridden, political analysts said.
Sabut turned out to be a nightmare for CPM and Congress fronts who finally joined hands this year to narrowly dislodge Twenty20 from power in two out of the four panchayats governed by it.
With Sabu shaking hands with the BJP, the CPM and Congress fronts are panting with no options left to form any alternative front to defeat Sabu whose revolutionary food security market and subsidised eateries made him a hero among the people including some Left and Congress supporters.
An immensely wealthy industrialist owning world’s leading garment exporting company Kitex Industries listed on Bombay Stock Exchange, Sabu had no need of involvement in corruption.
Sabu’s father Joseph started the renowned Anna Aluminum about six decades ago. Sabu and his brother have been looking after the business backed by their families.
Ironically, Sabu had tied up with Arvind Kejariwal’s party to break up after a few years.
At a time when the BJP like other parties struggling to fight groupism within the party, it remains to be seen how the disgruntled BJP leaders will accommodate the vibrant entrepreneur who was driven away to start over Rs 3000 crore industry in Telangana.
BJP Kerala chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Twenty20 practised a development-oriented model. He said, “We want him to return to Kerala and contribute to the economic development of the state.
Jacob told reporters that such an alliance was vital for Twenty20. He said the LDF and UDF were backed by fundamentalist like Jamaat e Islami and SDPI.
PM pats Sabu Jacob for entering NDA
