Govt for consensus on state division

LUCKNOW: The Mayawati government on Wednesday said it was up to the Centre to evolve a consensus on further division of Uttar Pradesh and it would gave its views on the matter only when solicited.

“It is up to the Centre to evolve a consensus on reorganisation of Uttar Pradesh. We will convey our views when the Centre asks for it,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Lalji Verma told the state assembly.

“The BSP is in favour of smaller states. But, we want a consensus on the issue,” he said. BJP member Hukum Singh sought to know if the Mayawati government would move a resolution in the House on further division of the state in view of Chief Minister’s remarks on the matter at a party rally recently.

“The statement of the Chief Minister amounts to views of the government,” Singh said adding there was confusion among people on the matter.

RLD leader Kokab Hameed, who gave an adjournment notice in this regard, demanded discussion on the issue. Demanding a separate Harit Pradesh comprising western part of Uttar Pradesh, the member reeled out statistics to buttress his claim.
BJP’s Lalji Tandon said his party was against formation of Harit Pradesh as it was not feasible.

He favoured setting up of a Reorganisation Commission to look into the matter. Congress leader Pramod Tewari said his party favoured smaller states but added any division must take into account the demand for separate Poorvanchal and Bundelkhand states.