Politics of votes behind Mayawati's proposal to split UP: Advani

DHAMPUR (UP): BJP leader L K Advani said he felt that "politics of votes" seemed to be the motivation behind Chief Minister Mayawati's move to create four states out of Uttar Pradesh but any such decision should only be taken only after proper consultations.

"This decision can only be taken by the central government and it cannot just happen just because a Chief Minister has said it," Advani said here without naming Mayawati.

"Sometimes, it seems such demands are raised keeping in mind the benefit in terms of votes. Politics of votes should be kept aside and the matter should be discussed in all seriousness," Advani said while addressing a gathering here.

"I will speak neither in favour nor against the division of Uttar Pradesh but I would say that any step should be thoroghly thought about first," he added.

Advani, whose countride campaign entered Bijnor district of UP today, said "I believe that there is a time for everything and when the right time comes, it will happen."

"There was a demand for one state and it was done. In our manifesto, we had told the people that when our government is formed at the Centre, we will create Uttarakhand," Advani said referring to the issue of division of UP.