Government to examine demand for Muvattupuzha district

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Sunday said the state government would examine the demand for creation of a separate district centred on Muvattupuzha. Speaking at the 'Triveni' Onam celebrations organised by the Muvattupuzha municipality, Satheesan said the government would appoint a Delimitation Commission.

According to Malayala Manorama, Satheesan said, "If new districts are formed, Muvattupuzha will be there." The Hindu reported that the Chief Minister said the Delimitation Commission would consider the matter and that a solution would be reached regarding all the concerns of the people of Muvattupuzha.

The announcement comes after Muvattupuzha MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan, who presided over the event, raised the demand for a separate district. Kuzhalnadan alleged that the region had been neglected during the 10-year rule of the LDF government, as reported by Deccan Chronicle and ThePrint. Satheesan quoted Kuzhalnadan as saying that Muvattupuzha "has been marginalised for a long time" and that "development activities here were halted and blocked out of a spirit of revenge."

The Chief Minister said he had taken note of the grievances. "All these grievances and all these worries will be resolved," he said, as reported by Deccan Chronicle and ThePrint. He also said the developmental backlog suffered by Muvattupuzha would be compensated with interest.

Background of the demand

Muvattupuzha is currently part of Ernakulam district, located close to the Idukki district border. The demand has been to form a separate district by combining eastern parts of Ernakulam and low-lying areas of Idukki. Satheesan recalled his discussions with the MLA, who had raised concerns over the constituency being sidelined, as noted by Malayala Manorama.

“He told me about Muvattupuzha being sidelined for a very long time and how it had suffered development setbacks due to the revenge attitudes (of previous governments),” Satheesan said. He added: “But I have to say just one thing now - all sorrows will be addressed.”

Expressing his personal sentiment, Satheesan said, "I really love the people of Muvattupuzha, and it hurts me to see them being separated from my district (Ernakulam). However, the demand is being considered with grave importance," as quoted by Malayala Manorama. The Hindu also reported that the Chief Minister stated some sadness about the separation.

Satheesan, who represents Paravur in the Assembly, also noted that the matter would be considered by the Delimitation Commission. ThePrint reported him as saying: "This government will bring a Delimitation Commission. That request will certainly be considered in that process."

In the Revised State Budget 2026, Satheesan had earlier announced that a commission would be constituted to study the feasibility and requirements for forming new districts and taluks, according to Malayala Manorama.

Wider district reorganisation demands

The decision to consider Muvattupuzha comes amid broader demands for new districts in the state. Malayala Manorama reported that there have been demands for a new district in the Malabar region, particularly through the bifurcation of Malappuram. The demand has been raised by the Indian Union Muslim League and the Samastha Kerala Jam’iyyathul Ulama (EK faction). At a district-level UDF meeting in Malappuram in June, the bifurcation was discussed and the meeting decided to seek the appointment of a special officer to examine the feasibility. Demands for splitting Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod have also been raised.

Onam arrangements

At the same event, the Chief Minister spoke about Onam arrangements, Hindu reported. He said that despite challenges, the government had not compromised on Onam celebrations and that all outstanding dues are being disbursed. He added that funds are being provided to people who have been waiting for payments. He said steps have been taken to ensure all Supplyco Onam fairs are stocked with 13 essential commodities at subsidised rates. He attributed the lack of price rise to planning two months in advance, and claimed record sales are taking place. He also described Onam as a harvest festival that transcends caste, religion, ethnicity, and colour.

Dean Kuriakose, MP, delivered the keynote address at the event, according to The Hindu.

Perspectives

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