Parties non-committal on splitting Malappuram

resolution passed by the Malappuram district panchayat demanding appointment of a commission to conduct a feasibility study for the bifurcation of the district has come at a time when political parties have been gearing up for the local body elections.

Parties were circumspect in their response to the demand. All major parties except the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were non-committal in their reactions to the demand.

When the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) maintained the stand that the party had not taken any decision on the matter and that it was not the right time to raise such a demand, parties such as the CPI(M) and the CPI suspected a conspiracy behind the move.

The BJP stuck to its stand that bifurcation was not a solution for the problems of Malappuram and that the demand was raised with some ulterior motives. The Congress was of the opinion that it was too early to make a comment as “there was only a demand for a feasibility study.” Although the district panchayat’s demand was for a feasibility study on the basis of the fact that Malappuram is the most populous district in the State and that it does not have facilities in proportion to itspopulation particularly in spheres of revenue, health, and education, it has been frowned upon.

“We have never taken a decision on the matter. It is such an issue that needs to be discussed at all levels,” said IUML State general secretary K.P.A. Majeed. The State committee of the party had kept silent when the district unit tried to bring the bifurcation issue into focus two years ago.

“It must be viewed as an election stunt. The district panchayat move is timed to create a Muslim vote consolidation,” said CPI(M) district secretary P.P. Vasudevan.

CPI leader T.K. Sundaran said that bifurcation was not the only solution for development. “We smell a conspiracy,” he said.

Congress District Committee president E. Mohammed Kunhi said that a detailed study was needed before deciding on the requirement of bifurcation. “No need to take a hasty decision now,” he said.

BJP district president K. Narayanan said the IUML was playing a game by making others raise the issue. “First they made the SDPI and others demand for the bifurcation,” he said.

The BJP said that population or backwardness should not be the criterion for bifurcation of a district.

The move is viewed as an

election stunt to create

Muslim vote consolidation.