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Rajma Chawal

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Mayawatis-plan-to-divide-and-rule-Uttar-Pradesh-may-be-split-in-four-parts/articleshow/10660491.cms LUCKNOW: UP chief minister Mayawati is likely to announce the reorganization of Uttar Pradesh, splitting the sprawling state into four parts, in a move that her supporters are seeing as a poll-eve masterstroke. Well-placed BSP sources said Mayawati is planning 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 while the 22 western districts will be grouped together as Harit Pradesh. Bundelkhand will take seven districts while the remaining 14, all in central UP, will comprise the fourth. Mayawati did not deny the move when questioned by reporters at a press conference to announce the hike 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. A 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 the impending elections, with BSP sources hoping that it would set the agenda for the coming polls, while diverting attention away from the incumbency. Parties wary of Maya's move to divide state ahead of polls The hope is not without basis because almost all political parties have at various times advocated division of the state into smaller units. Congress has been championing the creation of Bundelkhand on the ground that its distance from Lucknow has contributed to its backwardness. The party has not taken a stand on Harit Pradesh, but will find it difficult to oppose it because its prospective ally Ajit Singh has made it a battle theme. 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 cudgels for the demand for Telangana. Samajwadi Party is categorical in its opposition to the splintering plan. Its general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav said, "The division will reduce UP's clout in national politics." BSP sources feel that SP's opposition will help Mayawati's plan to shape the narrative. Under the Constitution, the power to create new states is vested with Parliament. Constitution explains that the bill for creation of new states can be introduced in either House of Parliament on the recommendation of the President. If the bill affects the area, boundaries or names of any of the states, President would refer the bill to the legislature of the state for expressing its views within a stipulated period. The Congress, which is already caught in the row over separate state of Telangana, is unlikely to reveal its hand. Congress leaders said the party might support Mayawati's proposal but a final decision would be taken by the high command. In New Delhi, Congress did not oppose the move outright, merely saying it should be referred to a new State Reorganization Commission: a posture which only indicated its wariness of Mayawati's electoral intent. Although her timing has been influenced by the looming polls, Mayawati has kept the issue burning since winning the 2007 elections. She publicly supported the division of UP while addressing a rally in Lucknow, and followed that by writing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2008 and, again, in 2009. Most recently, she raised it in September while announcing the creation of three new districts in western UP. Even as bigger players were trying to craft their response, smaller outfits campaigning for statehood for distinct regions in UP were already celebrating the prospect. "We are getting support of the National Federation for New States, which includes outfits fighting for small states across the country," said Raja Bundela of Bundelkhand Congress. Former SP leader Amar Singh also announced that he would hold a rally on November 13 at Sarnath in Varanasi in support of the creation of Poorvanchal. Their excitement can only serve Mayawati's objective to distract attention. The BJP has been supporting smaller states but has chosen to downplay Mayawati's proposal. BJP's national vice-president 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 state reorganization commission. He also said BSP should make it clear whether it had any specific plan for trifurcation or was raising the issue only to arrest anti-incumbency and divert public attention from the corruption and breakdown of law and order under Mayawati's rule. BJP state president S P Shahi said, "We will open our cards after the state government tables the proposal in the state assembly."

Edited by Trichromatic
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I really don't know how I feel about this. On one hand, they are dividing communities and further destroying unit of India. But I understand that this will make law and order & administration more functioning and easier. If they really go with this plan, I would prefer it to be split into two rather than four. Harit Pradesh+Central UP should be UP. The remaining two Bundelkand and Poorvanchal can be called something else. Does this mean that there will be new Chief Ministers for these states? Mayawati will hope to remain the CM of UP? A lot of development has taken place in Noida and somewhat in Ghaziabad under Maywati's government. Losing these two cities might not be a good idea...

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Good idea in principle, though like a poster said above, 4 is a bit too much. And regarding the OP title: how will she divide and rule over all ? She can only be the CM of one state.
Its not my title. Just got it from TOI. Obviously, she won't be able to rule all 4. But I'm assuming she thinks she will be able to get 3 other puppets in charge.
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What we need is good leaders and if we have them then the size of the state does not matter. Also, 4 is way too much and there is absolutely no chance of UP being divided into anything more than 3 states and that also will not happen before the upcoming assembly elections in UP.

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Just a thought: With current anti-corruption sentiments on all time high, it will make Mayawati kind of people's lives easier, after sub-division it would become even tougher to track down their black history. As I am not sure how current UP govt records will be split among (and linked to) future 4 sub-divisions. Most certainly it will add another level of redirection for RTI activists, another opportunity to cover up for current govt.

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