Tharoor slams Railway Board over Palakkad Division bifurcation

Tharoor highlighted the fiscal instability the decision triggers, noting that the Palakkad division stands to lose 1,100 crore rupees in annual revenue. He challenged the rationale behind the separation, questioning why the division is being restructured based on state borders—moving Mangaluru to the Mysuru Division—while the long-standing demand for a dedicated Keralam Railway Zone remains ignored by central authorities. He argued that if administrative logic dictates state-specific zones, the policy should be applied consistently across the nation rather than selectively.

While unable to attend the demonstrations in person, Tharoor expressed his full moral and political support for the protests and dharnas organized by his party colleagues. He contrasted the unilateral nature of the Railway Board's action with the inclusive spirit of Onam, suggesting that governance should mirror the festival’s core values of equality and shared prosperity rather than imposing top-down decisions that sideline regional stakeholders.