Palakkad (Keralam) [India], August 26 : Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs held a sit-in protest in Palakkad against the bifurcation of the Palakkad Railway Division.
The UDF also alleged that the move to bifurcate the division was politically motivated and was carried out by the BJP in the Centre, keeping the Karnataka elections in mind.
Keralam Electricity Minister and KPCC president Sunny Joseph termed the decision unjustified and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene. He said that the Congress MPs were observing a hunger strike on Onam.
Sunny Joseph told ANI, "Everybody knows it well. Detaching the main route from Palakkad division is an unjustifiable decision. We are agitating against the unilateral decision. We request the Prime Minister to intervene. Keralam MPs are on a hunger strike on Thiruvonam day."
The Railway Board has decided to bifurcate the Palakkad Railway Division by removing the Mangaluru region and transferring its stations to the Mysuru Division under South Western Railway, with the change set to come into effect from October 1.
The move has triggered strong political opposition in Keralam, with concerns over significant revenue losses and administrative impact.
Earlier on Monday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also criticised the decision, calling it an "unfortunate" move taken without consultation with the Keralam government or MPs from the state.
Tharoor told reporters, "This is a particularly unfortunate decision because it was made without any consultation with the Keralam government or Keralam MPs, and that was really extremely difficult for us to accept. If they had explained their logic, we would have at least had a chance to discuss it and decide. Instead, we've been confronted with what is called a fatal conflict."
He said the bifurcation would affect the Palakkad division's revenue, adding, "On 1st of October, this entire thing changes. Palakkad division loses 1,100 crore rupees in revenue."