UP Assembly passes resolution to split state

Amidst din, the Uttar Pradesh Assembly today passed a controversial resolution on splitting the state into four parts by voice vote minutes after which the lower house was adjourned sine die.

Chief Minister Mayawati, who had announced the proposal recently to split the state into Purvanchal, Paschim Pradesh, Bundelkhand and Awadh Pradesh, presented the resolution saying that it was being forwarded to the Centre.

As soon as the proposal was passed by voice vote amidst noisy scenes, Speaker Rajbhar adjourned the House sine-die.

The Opposition, which wanted to bring no confidence motion against the state government, criticised the move to pass the resolution by voice vote and then adjourning the Assembly.

Alleging that BSP government ignored Baba Saheb's (Bhim Rao Ambedkar) Constitution and adjourned the House sine-die, Leader of Opposition Shivpal Singh Yadav told reporters that "The government should have discussed the no-confidence motion and go for voting".

He also accused the Speaker of acting as a BSP member.

About state's reorganisation, SP said that people of the state were against splitting the state.

CLP leader Pramod Tiwari said his party favoured constitution of state reorganisation commission before taking the decision to split the state so that resources division and other issues could be considered.

In the House of 403, BSP had 220 members (after six of its members have been disqualified recently), SP had 89, BJP 48, Cong 20, RLD 10, independent 9, RSP one.

Earlier, the Winter Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly started on a stormy noted with BJP members jumping into the well of the House while SP members started slogan shouting against the government and waved placards.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Lalji Verma said the BSP government had full majority in the House but opposition members did pay heed to him.

Amidst din, Speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar adjourned the question hour till 12.20 pm.