CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI ■ ■ KOCHI l friday l January 23, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 18 l LATE city EDITION Twenty20 set to begin new innings with NDA E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @T’Puram Springing a major surprise on the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has roped in Twenty20 into its fold. The induction of the Kitex groupbacked party into the NDA – coming just a few months ahead of the assembly election – marked a significant strategic shift from its earlier independent approach. Twenty20 will join the NDA fold in the presence of Modi at a party event in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday . The announcement was made by BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, flanked by Twenty20 president Sabu M Jacob, at a joint press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. The BJP hopes to make a significant impact in central Kerala through its alliance with the regional outfit, which holds substantial sway in several pockets of Ernakulam district. The BJP assesses that the tie-up will help improve NDA’s prospects in the neighbouring districts too. Also, fielding Twenty20 candidates under the NDA fold would help it make further inroads into certain community PM may announce high-speed rail project Twenty20 president Sabu M Jacob and BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar during a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday | Express strongholds. Moreover, the party’s pro-investment motto would align well with the BJP’s ‘Vikasitha Keralam’ narrative. Briefing the media, Rajeev said the NDA aims to bring a change in the state’s political culture, which he alleged had been adversely affected over the years. He said Twenty20, since its formation, has been practising a development-oriented model. Describing Sabu as a job-creating entrepreneur, Chandrasekhar said he was forced to move out of Kerala and establish industries in Telangana, where he created thousands of jobs.  ● More on P6 T’Puram: PM Narendra Modi is expected to announce a high-speed rail project for the state at an event at Putharikandam Maidan in the state capital on Friday. The new project effectively overrides the controversial SilverLine. P7 Amrit Bharat Express trains The PM will flag off three Amrit Bharat Express trains and a passenger train at the event. He will also launch various of development projects. Later, he will adderss party workers at a separate venue. An injured jawan being taken to a hospital after an Army truck plunged into a deep gorge in J&K’s Doda district on Thursday, killing 10 soldiers and injuring 11 | PTI | P10 India skips Board of Peace launch China, France, UK, Germany and Italy, too, give the event a miss; Pak PM Shehbaz shows up J AYA N T H J A C O B @ New Delhi INDIA was among the notable absentees when US President Donald Trump unveiled on Thursday his Board of Peace on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, an initiative Washington is projecting as a new international body to help cement the fragile Gaza ceasefire and potentially address conflicts elsewhere. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to join the board, but New Delhi has yet to take a decision. “India is considering various aspects as the initiative involves sensitive issues. We are examining the in- US President Donald Trump holds up a signed Board of Peace charter on the sidelines of the annual meeting of World Economic Forum in Davos | AP vite,” sources said. Trump said the board could become “one of the most consequential bodies ever created,” and added he was “honoured” to chair it. “Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do. And we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations,” he said. The announcement, made during a signing ceremony in Davos, drew mixed response. Regional powers such as Turkey Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar , and the United Arab Emirates, along with Jordan, Indonesia and Pakistan, joined the board. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was present. However, China and several major global powers and traditional Western US allies including France, the UK, Germany and , Italy skipped the ceremony . US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the board’s immediate focus would be Gaza. “The priority is making sure the plan for peace in Gaza is fulfilled, but it can also serve as an example of what’s possible in other parts of the world.” The White House has already announced a founding executive board to operationalise the initiative. It includes Rubio, exBritish PM Tony Blair, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, World Bank president Ajay Banga, Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan and deputy national security adviser Robert Gabriel Jr. EXPRESS READ T20 WC: B’desh won’t play in India Top Maoist among 15 killed ‘Nothing arbitrary in SIR conduct’ Chennai: Bangladesh have reiterated their stance that they will not be travelling to India for the upcoming men’s T20 World Cup. This comes a day after the International Cricket Council (ICC) gave Bangladesh Cricket Board an ultimatum, upholding the original tournament schedule. P13 Ranchi: In a body blow to the Maoist insurgency in Jharkhand, security forces on Thursday neutralised at least 15 Maoists, including their top leader Patiram Manjhi alias Anal Da, in an encounter in West Singhbhum district. Patiram Manjhi was carrying a bounty of I2.25 crore on him. P9 New Delhi: Continuing its submissions on the SIR issue, the Election Commission of India on Thursday told the Supreme Court that there was nothing manifestly arbitrary in its conduct of the SIR. P10 18 pages, including 4 pages of KOCHI Express Mission Samriddhi We stand in gratitude with those who protect India’s borders, people, and future. You protect our nation. Let us help navigate your financial life. Mission Samriddhi An investor education and awareness initiative specially for our armed forces. 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