4 days ago
Kerala Congress Opposes Proposal for New Muvattupuzha District
A lawmaker has suggested creating a new Muvattupuzha district in Kerala.
The proposed district would include areas from Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the idea would be considered.
He also said the government would appoint a group to study district boundaries.
The Kerala Congress (Joseph) faction does not support the plan.
Its leader Mons Joseph said removing Thodupuzha would seriously hurt Idukki district.
Supporters say a new district could help the region receive more development attention.
They say money given to Ernakulam often goes mainly to cities such as Kochi.
Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan proposed creating a Muvattupuzha district from parts of Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the request would be considered and that a Delimitation Commission would be appointed.
Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph said the proposal currently had no relevance.
The Kerala Congress (Joseph) faction opposed removing Thodupuzha from Idukki, calling it the district’s “soul and heart.”
Kuzhalnadan said a separate district could improve regional development because Ernakulam funds largely focus on urban areas, including Kochi.
- Who
- Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan proposed the district, while the Kerala Congress (Joseph) faction, represented by Mons Joseph, opposed it; Chief Minister V D Satheesan said it would be considered.
- What
- A proposal was made to create a new Muvattupuzha district using parts of Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam districts.
- Where
- The proposed district would center on Muvattupuzha in Kerala; Thodupuzha, currently in Idukki district, could be included.
- When
- The proposal was discussed recently, and Mons Joseph stated his opposition on Saturday.
- Why
- Kuzhalnadan said the district was needed for regional development, while opponents said removing Thodupuzha would damage Idukki and that the issue currently had no relevance.
Supporters of the District
Opponents of the District
Need for a separate district
Supporters of the District
Mathew Kuzhalnadan said a Muvattupuzha district was necessary to support the region’s development and address the concentration of Ernakulam funds on urban areas.
Opponents of the District
Mons Joseph said the proposal currently had no relevance and should first be examined in detail by the United Democratic Front leadership and its state-level committee.
Status of Thodupuzha
Supporters of the District
The proposal would consider including Thodupuzha and other areas from neighboring districts in a new Muvattupuzha district.
Opponents of the District
The Kerala Congress (Joseph) faction said removing Thodupuzha from Idukki would amount to tearing away the district’s “soul and heart.”
How the issue should proceed
Supporters of the District
Satheesan said the government would consider the request and appoint a Delimitation Commission.
Opponents of the District
Mons Joseph said the matter should not be discussed on a public platform and should instead be examined by the United Democratic Front.
Key facts
- Proposed district
- Muvattupuzha
- Areas mentioned
- Parts of Ernakulam, Idukki and Kottayam districts
- Current location of Thodupuzha
- Idukki district
- Proposal supporter
- Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan
- Opposing faction
- Kerala Congress (Joseph)
- Government response
- Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the request would be considered and a Delimitation Commission would be appointed
- Development rationale
- Supporters say Ernakulam funds largely concentrate on urban development, including Kochi city
Quotes
Mons Joseph
Water Resources Minister and Kerala Congress (Joseph) leader
“However, all these matters must be examined in detail by the UDF leadership and the state-level UDF committee. When it is discussed in the UDF, the Kerala Congress will state its opinion. At present, this issue has no relevance”
deccanchronicle.com
“Earlier, when former Muvattupuzha MLA Joseph Vazhackan raised this issue in the Assembly, it was discussed and dropped as an abandoned matter”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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