Mangaluru shift aimed at appeasing Karnataka BJP, says Sreekandan
MP V.K. Sreekandan has criticized the Union government's decision to remove Mangaluru from the Palakkad Railway Division, calling it a political move to appease the Karnataka BJP. He warned that the bifurcation would negatively impact the division's finances and railway development in Kerala.
Why it matters
Infrastructure and administrative boundary changes often trigger regional political tensions, especially when they involve revenue-generating assets and state-level development.
The Union government’s decision to remove Mangaluru from the Palakkad Railway Division was aimed at appeasing the BJP in Karnataka, alleged V.K. Sreekandan, MP, here on Saturday (August 22, 2026).
Addressing the media, Mr. Sreekandan said that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had assured Keralam that the Palakkad Division would not be divided. The decision to transfer Mangaluru out of Palakkad is a breach of that assurance and a betrayal of Keralam, Mr. Sreekandan said.
The Union Railway Ministry issued the bifurcation order without consulting Keralam’s MPs or the State government, Mr. Sreekandan said.
He alleged that the decision was taken without informing the State government or giving it prior notice.
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