The long-standing demand to bifurcate Malappuram district in Kerala gained fresh momentum on Sunday (June 14, 2026) after the United Democratic Front (UDF) endorsed it. A district-level UDF meeting discussed the proposal and decided to seek the appointment of a special officer to examine its feasibility.
UDF district chairman K.P. Abdul Majeed said bifurcation of Malappuram had become a necessity, citing what he described as inequitable distribution of government resources across the district.
Malappuram has a population of about half a crore, nearly 14% of Kerala’s total population. With 16 Assembly constituencies, it spans two Lok Sabha constituencies and includes a significant portion of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.
“The district is too large. It takes nearly five hours to travel from one end to the other. Bifurcation is needed to ensure equitable access to services,” said Mr. Majeed.
He added that the issue should not be viewed through communal or political lenses. “What matters is justice for the people and fair distribution of services, regardless of who raises or opposes the demand,” he said, reiterating the need for a special officer to study the proposal in detail.
Several organisations, including the Welfare Party of India, Social Democratic Party of India, Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, and Kerala Muslim Jamaat, have previously called for the reorganisation of districts to correct disparities in resource allocation.
IUML’s stance
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the dominant partner in the UDF in Malappuram, has maintained a cautious stance. While acknowledging that the district is overstretched, it has indicated that the timing may not be appropriate to actively pursue bifurcation.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Sangh Parivar organisations have strongly opposed the proposal, adding to the political and communal sensitivity surrounding the issue.
Separately, the Tirur Subcollector, Dilip K. Kainikkara, recently revived the discussion by listing bifurcation of Malappuram as a “wish-list” reform for the new UDF government. He argued that dividing large districts would improve administrative efficiency and public access to services.
He suggested that an ideal district would comprise around seven Assembly constituencies, roughly equivalent to one Lok Sabha constituency.
While acknowledging the financial burden of creating new districts, Mr. Kainikkara said the resulting gains in governance and public convenience would make it a worthwhile investment.
Published – June 14, 2026 04:12 pm IST
