The election mood in Kizhakkambalam and nearby areas stood out from the rest of Ernakulam district on Tuesday. The United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) contest against the Kitex Group-backed Twenty20 in the panchayat elections. Outside Bethlehem Dayara High School at Njarackal, some voters called themselves “anti-Twenty20.” They included supporters of Congress and the CPI(M) who backed a common Independent candidate. Of the 21 wards in Kizhakkambalam, CPI(M) contests in only one ward, while Congress and BJP each field candidates in four wards. A Congress supporter at a campaign booth hoped the party would gain strength here. Twenty20 activists showed strong enthusiasm in all four panchayats where they hold power: Kizhakkambalam, Kunnathunad, Mazhuvannoor, and Aikkaranadu. In neighboring Vengola, where Twenty20 made big gains last time, the excitement was visible too. Meanwhile, the district Congress leaders confidently said they would reclaim Kunnathunad and Mazhuvannoor. Twenty20 president Sabu M. Jacob accused CPI(M) and Congress activists of violence when he and family went to vote at St. Mary’s Church, Vilangu. He also said the State Election Commission failed to enforce his party’s order to record videos at 139 polling booths to prevent fake voting. He plans to appeal to the Election Commission of India and the High Court. CPI(M) leader and Kunnathunad MLA P.V. Sreenijin denied the violence charges. He said, “Party supporters only opposed the Twenty20 chief’s move to speak to TV channels near the polling booth. Earlier, the police did not allow candidates to stand on the booth premises against usual norms. So, the reaction to Mr. Sabu’s move was only natural.”