Published Mar 19, 2026 | 4:46 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 19, 2026 | 4:46 PM
Twenty20
Synopsis: Later on Thursday, Twenty20 has made change in its candidate lineup for the Perumbavoor constituency, replacing Lakshmi Priya with Jibi Varghese Pathikkal, a former Congress leader and member of Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church managing committee.
In an unexpected turn of events, NDA alliance partner in Kerala, Twenty20’s attempt to light up the election battlefield with celebrity sparkle has run into a basic—but critical—problem: no votes, literally.
After actor Lakshmi Priya was found missing from the voter list in Perumbavoor, the party now faces a similar embarrassment with TV star Veena Nair, whose name is reportedly absent from the rolls in Ettumanoor.
The double setback has forced the party into urgent huddles to find replacement candidates, even as its high-profile campaign strategy begins to wobble.
What was meant to be a star-studded electoral push now risks turning into a casting reshuffle.
The situation turned particularly awkward when a planned roadshow in Perumbavoor had to be scrapped at the last minute after leaders realized the candidate herself wasn’t on the voter list. Instead of a grand rally, the event quietly morphed into a padayatra—minus the main star.
With both candidates now unlikely to contest unless a last-minute fix emerges, Twenty20’s dream of winning constituencies with celebrity appeal seems to be fading faster than a box-office flop.
Later on Thursday, Twenty20 has made change in its candidate lineup for the Perumbavoor constituency, replacing Lakshmi Priya with Jibi Varghese Pathikkal, a former Congress leader and member of Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church managing committee.
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues over another seat, with sources indicating that a new candidate may be announced in place of Veena Nair.
Veena Nair herself confirmed that she will not be contesting the election, putting an end to speculation around her candidature.
The NDA has also faced embarrassment after announcing two film actresses as candidates whose names reportedly do not appear on the voter list, drawing criticism and raising questions over the candidate selection process.
