Uttar Pradesh to be split into 4 states? Maya drops poll hint

LUCKNOW: Chief minister Mayawati is likely to soon push for reorganization of Uttar Pradesh, splitting the sprawling state into four parts. The move is being seen by her supporters as a masterstroke ahead of the 2012 assembly polls. Well-placed BSP sources said Mayawati was planning to make the pitch to carve four new states out of the country's largest state which, with its 75 districts, is larger than many countries. As per the blueprint, the eastern part of the state with 32 districts will form a new state of Poorvanchal; the 22 western districts will be grouped together as Harit Pradesh; Bundelkhand will take seven districts while the remaining 14 will fall in central UP, the fourth state. Mayawati did not deny the move when questioned by reporters at a press conference to announce the raise in state advisory price for sugarcane . A smiling Mayawati said, "It's a big issue but I will not talk about it today because if I do, you people will downplay the SAP story, a big pro-farmer step of the state government." This response strengthened the buzz around the reorganization. Division of UP has been talked about for long because of the problems involved in administering such a large area. The state remains unwieldy even after the hilly region was hived off to form Uttarakhand . But the move has gained momentum now because of impending elections , with BSP sources hoping it would set the campaign agenda, while diverting attention from the incumbency. That hope is not without basis as almost all parties have at various times advocated division. Congress has championed the creation of Bundelkhand state, saying distance from Lucknow has added to its backwardness. Parties wary of Maya's move to divide state ahead of polls Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati's broad hints of a division of the state was met with caution by political parties, which have, at various times backed such a move. The possibility has also set the ball rolling in the poll-bound state, especially given the backdrop of the row over a separate Telangana. Congress has been batting for Bundelkhand, but has not taken a stand yet on Harit Pradesh. However, the ruling party will find it difficult to oppose such a move because its prospective ally Ajit Singh has made Harit Pradesh a battle theme. The BJP, which carved Uttarakhand out of UP, has consistently prided itself for its commitment to smaller states - pointing to the creation of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand in 2000. The party has now taken up the cudgels for Telangana . But on Tuesday, it chose to downplay Mayawati's proposal . BJP's national vicepresident Kalraj Mishra said the party had always been in favour of smaller states but the decision to divide UP should be taken after a thorough study by a state reorganization commission.