Satheesan’s Muvattupuzha district remarks revive calls to bifurcate Malappuram
Following discussions on Ernakulam's potential district split, MLA PK Navas argued Malappuram’s higher population density warrants a new district, suggesting multiple divisions if administratively necessary.
Following discussions on Ernakulam's potential district split, MLA PK Navas argued Malappuram’s higher population density warrants a new district, suggesting multiple divisions if administratively necessary.
Following discussions on Ernakulam's potential district split, MLA PK Navas argued Malappuram’s higher population density warrants a new district, suggesting multiple divisions if administratively necessary.
The discussion over the bifurcation of Ernakulam district has renewed demands for a separate district in Malappuram, with Tanur MLA PK Navas pushing for the creation of more districts in the state. The reaction comes after Chief Minister VD Satheesan confirmed that the Kerala government is considering the formation of a new district centred on Muvattupuzha.
While acknowledging the need for a separate district in Ernakulam citing its high population density, Navas, in a Facebook post, said the case for Malappuram was no different, if not stronger.
Navas pointed out that Ernakulam has an area of 3,068 square kilometres and a population of around 32 lakhs, resulting in a population density of 1,072 people per square kilometre. He said the figures for Malappuram make an even stronger case for a separate district.
Malappuram has a population of 41.3 lakhs and an area of 3,550 square kilometres, giving it a population density of 1,157 people per square kilometre, he said.
"The primary concern isn't about which comes first. If the figures and administrative necessity dictate the creation of a new district, then both should be brought into existence," Navas said in the Facebook post.
"The VD Satheesan government came to power by putting an end to a decade of injustice. Therefore, it is only just for this government to facilitate the birth of not just one new district, but multiple districts," he added.
Demands for the creation of a new district in the Malabar region, particularly through the bifurcation of Malappuram, have gained momentum in recent years. The Indian Union Muslim League and the Samastha Kerala Jam’iyyathul Ulama (EK faction) have raised the demand several times, with resolutions calling for the reorganisation of northern districts citing population growth and administrative challenges.
At a district-level UDF meeting in Malappuram in June, the bifurcation of the district was also discussed. The meeting decided to seek the appointment of a special officer to examine its feasibility.
Demands for the creation of new districts by bifurcating Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod have also been raised for years.
The renewed discussions come after Satheesan, in the Revised State Budget 2026, announced that a commission would be constituted to study the feasibility and requirements for forming new districts and taluks.