Published Aug 26, 2026 | 3:13 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 26, 2026 | 3:13 PM
The UDF has alleged that separating the Mangaluru railway region would deprive the Palakkad division of a major source of revenue.
Synopsis: UDF MPs and MLAs staged a satyagraha in Palakkad demanding the withdrawal of a proposal to transfer the Mangaluru railway region up to Ullal from the Palakkad division to the Mysuru division from 1 October. They alleged that Union Minister of State for Railways and Karnataka BJP leader V Somanna had orchestrated the proposal with the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections in mind and that it would negatively affect Keralam’s interests.
MPs and MLAs of the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front in Keralam staged a satyagraha in front of the Palakkad Divisional Railway Manager’s office on Thiruvonam Day on Wednesday, 26 August, demanding that the Union Railway Ministry withdraw its proposal to transfer the Mangaluru railway region up to Ullal from the Palakkad division of Southern Railway to the Mysuru division of South Western Railway from 1 October.
A demonstration extending support to the satyagraha by MPs and MLAs on Wednesday.
KPCC President and Minister Sunny Joseph led the protest, which began at 9 am on Wednesday and will continue until 6 pm.
MPs VK Sreekandan, Shafi Parambil, MK Raghavan, Rajmohan Unnithan, Anto Antony, ET Mohammed Basheer and Dean Kuriakose took part in the protest. Minister KA Thulasi and Palakkad MLA Ramesh Pisharody were also present.
The MPs alleged that Union Minister of State for Railways and Karnataka BJP leader V Somanna had orchestrated the proposed transfer with the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections in mind and was nursing Chief Ministerial ambitions.
They alleged that the BJP had worked for years to shift the Mangaluru region to the Mysuru division to gain a foothold in the Mysuru-Mangaluru belt, where, they said, the saffron party had struggled, but had faced opposition from Keralam.
The transfer would allow the BJP to project it as a way to strengthen the railway network in Karnataka, the protesters said, while negatively affecting Keralam’s railway interests.
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The UDF has alleged that separating the Mangaluru railway region would deprive the Palakkad division of a major source of revenue and affect railway development and passenger interests in Malabar.
Kozhikode MP MK Raghavan said Mangaluru played a vital role in the revenue and development of the Palakkad division and that separating the two would affect the “very existence of the Palakkad division.”
V K Sreekandan MP during the satyagraha meet on Wednesday.
He said the move would also affect the future of Keralite employees attached to the Mangaluru region.
Palakkad MP VK Sreekandan said the Railway Board had taken the decision without consulting the Keralam government or elected representatives.
“Such discriminatory decisions, implemented by keeping people’s representatives in the dark, cannot be accepted under any circumstances,” he said.
The UDF has also demanded a separate railway zone for Keralam, saying the State should have an administrative structure commensurate with its railway network and passenger requirements.
Minister KA Thulasi alleged that railway development in Keralam had suffered since the BJP came to power at the Centre and accused BJP leaders in Palakkad of failing to protect the State’s interests.
The leaders demanded that Chief Minister VD Satheesan meet the Union Railway Minister and seek the withdrawal of the decision.
Satheesan had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention. Keralam MPs had also separately approached the Prime Minister’s Office and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The leaders said the agitation would continue until the Railway Board reconsidered the decision. The MPs plan to jointly meet Railway Ministry officials in New Delhi and hold further protests in the national capital.
