Thalassery: The Keyees Bungalow near the old bus stand in Thalassery, which played host to many pivotal political decisions during the 1960s and 70s, is now set to become a part of memory lane. The bungalow, the marital home of Muslim League stalwart C K P Cheriya Mammukkeyi, served as a meeting point for political heavyweights from various parties.

The bungalow was sold to Pottaankandi Abdulla, an industrialist from Kadavathoor, along with a few others, after all 21 heirs eligible to inherit it settled in different locations. Demolition work has already begun.

It was built 85 years ago by Khan Bahadur Valiya Mammukkeyi, the father of Cheriya Mammukkeyi’s wife. Cheriya Mammukkeyi married his younger daughter, Ummi.

The house witnessed several crucial moments, including the Muslim League’s maiden entry into the Cabinet in 1967. During the 1971 riots, members of the Kerala Cabinet led peace initiatives from this very house. Prominent leaders such as Bafaki Tangal, Sathar Sett, C H Muhammed Koya, C Achuthamenon, E M S, A K G , K G Marar, Baby John, N E Balram, A K Antony, Arangil Sreedharan and K Chandrasekharan visited the Keyees Bungalow at various times.

P V Sainudheen, son of Cheriya Mammukkeyi and a Waqf Board member, recalled that the first district president of the Muslim League in Malabar, Sathar Settu, along with Bafaki Thangal and Panakkad Pookkoyi Thangal, would stop by the bungalow whenever they travelled to the Kannur region. Children from the household excelled in football and hockey, often bringing their friends home after playing at the Thalassery ground.

P V Sirajudheen, a family member and former joint secretary of the Kerala Cricket Association, recollected that although the family is now scattered across various places, they continued to gather at the house until recently. Keyees Bungalow stands on a 70-cent plot at the turn to Kayyath Road from the old bus stand.