Indian Union Muslim League demands Kerala's districts be reorganized by population, not new ones

The Indian Union Muslim League has demanded a comprehensive reorganisation of Keralam's districts on the basis of population rather than seeking the creation of any single new district, state general secretary P.M.A. Salam said on Monday.

The clarification came amid a renewed political debate over district boundaries, triggered a day earlier when Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced the government would examine the demand for a separate Muvattupuzha district and bring a Delimitation Commission to address such requests.

Population disparity in resource allocation

Salam told reporters the League's position stemmed from concern over inequitable distribution of resources. "Districts should be reorganised based on population. Otherwise, there will be discrimination in the allocation of resources," he said.

He cited the example of Malappuram, which has a population exceeding 45 lakh, and Pathanamthitta, with around 10 lakh people, both receiving the same district-level facilities. "Districts with a population of 20 lakh have more taluks than Malappuram district. Such irrationality should be changed," he added.

Not a demand to split Malappuram alone

Salam emphasised the League was not pushing for the bifurcation of any specific region or the creation of a new district with Tirur as headquarters. "The League is not saying that a district should be created in a particular region or place," he said. "This does not mean that only Malappuram district should be divided. We are not saying that Malappuram district should be divided into two with Tirur as the headquarters. Reorganisation based on population is essential," he stated.

Various organisations linked to the IUML, a key constituent of the Congress-led UDF, have long demanded the bifurcation of Muslim-dominated Malappuram owing to its rising population. Right-wing political outfits have opposed the League's demand, citing potential wider political implications.

Context of Muvattupuzha demand

Satheesan's remarks on Sunday came at an event organised by Muvattupuzha Municipality in Ernakulam district, where local MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan alleged the region had been neglected during the LDF government's 10-year rule and revived the demand for separate district status. Muvattupuzha currently falls within Ernakulam and lies near the Idukki border; various organisations have sought a new district combining parts of eastern Ernakulam with low-lying areas of Idukki.

The Chief Minister assured the developmental backlog in Muvattupuzha would be addressed and said the request would be considered by the planned Delimitation Commission.

Source: The Hindu