Cong rattled by Maya's call for division of state

Mayawati’s callto split up Uttar Pradesh into four different states, has left the Congress rattled. While some Congress leaders were cautious while reacting to the state chief minister's announcement, others called for constitution of the States Reorganisation Commission.

The Congress finds itself in a tricky position. While agreeing to join cause would create trouble for it in Telengana, outright refusal of the proposal would antagonise regional aspirations and cost the party dearly in the Assembly polls. “We want a new SRC to be set up as this issue (creation of small states) is being raised in a large number of states. Let SRC first give its report on such demands and then the government can take a decision,” said Union Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal.