Maya passes resolution to split state in 10 minutes

In the brief time for which it met,the assembly also passed demands for grants for the first four months of the next financial year.

Mayawati’s resolution read: “I place a proposal to divide Uttar Pradesh into four states — Poorvanchal,Bundelkhand,Awadh Pradesh and Paschim Pardesh. It will be sent to the centre.”

Later,she told the media: “We have done our job,now it is the centre’s responsibility.”

Under the constitution,only the centre has the power to alter boundaries of existing states,to change their names and to create new states. The concurrence of states is not mandatory for this.

Mayawati rejected the charge that the resolution was a political gimmick,with an eye on the Assembly elections. Her government had been compelled to act because the Centre took no initiative to reorganise the country’s largest state in spite of her letters to the prime minister,the first of which she had written way back in 2007,she said.

The chief minister also claimed that while she wanted a debate on her proposal,the opposition parties were not interested and created uproarious scenes. By their conduct,the SP,BJP and Congress had made it clear that they were against the division of the state,which was necessary for better administration and balanced development of all regions,Mayawati said.

While the SP has opposed the move saying it will “reduce the political importance of the state”,the BJP and Congress want the issue to be referred to a states reorganisation commission for a proper study of its all aspects.

Mayawati denied the Opposition allegation that the Assembly business had been rushed through and the no-confidence motions disallowed because her party had lost its majority in the House.

Opposition members,particularly Leader of the Opposition Shivpal Singh Yadav,have been claiming that several BSP MLAs who had been denied ticket for the coming Assembly elections were set to revolt against the chief minister.

The fact that the House had passed vote on account,on the other hand,showed that she commanded a majority in the House,Mayawati said. Passing of the vote on account was as good as a confidence vote,she pointed out.

Earlier,the House plunged into disorder as soon as it assembled in the morning. SP and BJP members rose from their seats demanding that their no-confidence motions be taken up. SP members waved placards which read,“Alpamat ki sarkar barkhast ho’’. When the Speaker’s appeals for order had no effect,he adjourned the house till 12.20 pm.

When the House reassembled,opposition members resumed their protests. The government first got passed the vote on account,totalling Rs 54,762.24 crore,and next brought the resolution for the division of the state.