Alleging that the Mayawati government's resolution to divide Uttar Pradesh into four regions was meant to “divert attention from charges of corruption dogging the regime,” Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh declared that his party would oppose every move for the ratification of the decision passed in the Assembly on Monday.
Speaking to journalists here on the eve of the winter session of Parliament, Mr. Singh said his party would vehemently block any attempt in Parliament to raise the issue by the Bahujan Samaj Party members. “We will not allow the division of Uttar Pradesh to take place at any cost.”
Mr. Singh alleged that the resolution was “unconstitutional'' since the Assembly proceedings did not take place. “Even Chief Minister Mayawati has admitted that the proceedings of the House could not take place following protests by the Opposition. We will demand that the Governor [B.L. Joshi] quash the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly.”
The party would ‘hit the streets' to protest the move and also talk to other political parties. However, the former SP member, Amar Singh, “welcomed' the step and said it was long overdue.
To this, Mr. Mulayam Singh said: “Amar Singhji may not be aware of the philosophy of Ram Manohar Lohia who was against creation of smaller states.”
Compared to other parties in the State, the SP had been steadfast in opposing any move to divide the State, he said.
