Demand for new districts takes centre stage in local body election campaign

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Political parties are using the demand for new districts as a campaign tool in the upcoming local body elections. Tirur MLA and Muslim League leader Kurukkoli Moideen is actively raising the demand for a new coastal district by including Tanur, Tirurangadi, and Ponnani taluks. Moideen says district bifurcation is necessary to ensure development based on population.

The Muslim League wants Malappuram to be divided and Tirur to be made a new district. The demands to create Neyyattinkara and Muvattupuzha districts are already before the government.

In 2019. Muslim League MLA KNA Khader had moved a Calling Attention motion in the Assembly demanding the division of Malappuram. In 2015, the Malappuram District Panchayat had also passed a resolution supporting the same. Although the state government has the authority to form new districts, it has been silent on the issue.

Tirur
Malappuram district was formed on June 5, 1969. Areas from Ponnani and Perinthalmanna taluks of Palakkad district, and Eranad and Tirur taluks of Kozhikode district, were combined to create the district. When it was formed, the population was around 14 lakh. Today, it has crossed 45 lakh. This is why the demand for forming a new district by dividing Malappuram is gaining strength.

Neyyattinkara
The demand to divide Thiruvananthapuram and form a new district centred around Neyyattinkara has existed for some time. With the Vizhinjam Port becoming operational, the demand has become stronger. MLA and CPM leader K. Ansalan and others are leading the campaign. A petition signed by 50,000 people was submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The proposal is to form a district using parts of Neyyattinkara and Kattakada taluks.

Muvattupuzha
The proposed new district would include Thodupuzha, Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam, Piravom, and Pala areas. Former Muvattupuzha MLA Joseph Vazhakkan had earlier claimed that a Muvattupuzha district would become a reality. The aim is to create a new agricultural district outside Kochi.