The Muslim Youth League (MYL) has renewed its demand for the bifurcation of Malappuram district, with its Tirurangadi constituency committee passing a resolution proposing the creation of a new district headquartered in Tirurangadi, as reported in OnManorama.
According to the proposal, the new district would be formed by combining the taluks of Tirur, Ponnani, Kondotty, and Tirurangadi. The existing Malappuram district would be reorganised with Malappuram town as its headquarters, comprising Eranad, Perinthalmanna, and Nilambur taluks.
As soon as the exit poll results were announced, the Muslim League revealed its true colour. 🚨
Muslim League has now come forward with a resolution demanding the division of Malappuram district.
The real aim behind the demand for a new district headquartered at Tirurangadi is… pic.twitter.com/sxoTKlchRq
— MAHARATHI (@MahaRathii) May 2, 2026
The resolution stated that bifurcation would improve administrative efficiency, enable faster delivery of government services, reduce regional development disparities, and generate infrastructure and employment opportunities. It further noted that separate development policies could be effectively implemented for coastal, hilly, and urban regions under a reorganised administrative framework.
The MYL argued that Malappuram, with a population exceeding four million, remains the most populous district in Kerala, and that its size, geographical diversity, developmental imbalances, and limited administrative infrastructure have made governance increasingly difficult. It pointed out stark regional differences, including the hilly terrain of Nilambur, coastal belts such as Tirur and Ponnani, and rapidly urbanising regions like Kondotty and Eranad, adding that residents often face delays and inconvenience in accessing government services.
The organisation maintained that dividing the district into smaller administrative units had become a necessity and would ensure balanced regional development and improved governance. It also noted that the demand for bifurcation was not new, recalling that the Kerala Muslim Jamaat had earlier raised a similar demand citing public convenience.
The issue has since escalated into a wider political controversy, particularly as it emerged on the eve of election results, with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) facing criticism over both the bifurcation demand and leadership preferences for the chief minister’s post. The presence of senior leaders, including state president Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal and general secretary P M A Salam, at the Tirurangadi event intensified the debate across Kerala.
Opposition parties, including Sangh Parivar organisations, alleged that the IUML was advancing a community-centric agenda ahead of a possible United Democratic Front (UDF) government. Activist K P Sasikala was reported as stating on social media that the political leadership in Kerala should prevent the League from gaining influence in government, warning of consequences if it played a decisive role, as reported in The New Indian Express.
Responding to the controversy, Salam stated that bifurcation was necessary given the district’s high population density, and added that other districts such as Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam could also be considered for division on similar grounds. He clarified that the IUML had not taken an official position on the matter, explaining that the resolution was passed by the Youth League constituency committee and that the party had not yet discussed it formally. He also stated that although he attended the programme, he had left after the inauguration.
Meanwhile, tensions within the UDF have reportedly increased following Thangal’s remarks suggesting that V D Satheesan was the most suitable candidate for the chief minister’s post, with him indicating that the final decision would be based on public sentiment.
SNDP Yogam leader Vellappally Natesan criticised the Muslim League, stating that it was inappropriate for the party to decide the Congress leadership and alleging that a UDF government could become a “religious dictatorship” of the League. He also warned of potential communal tensions.
Within the Congress, internal dissatisfaction has also been reported, with a senior leader indicating that the League’s stance on leadership had disrupted front-level coordination and worsened existing factional tensions.
Salam, however, rejected the criticism, alleging that the media had misinterpreted Thangal’s remarks and that attempts were being made to communalise the issue. He further stated that reports circulating on the matter were fabricated and that the Congress leadership had not raised objections to Thangal’s statement.
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