Nitish supports Mayawati's stand on four new states

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar today lent support to his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Mayawati's stand to carve out four new states out of Uttar Pradesh.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar today lent support to his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Mayawati's stand to carve out four new states out of Uttar Pradesh. ''We are in principle in favour of formation of smaller states ... We have been votary of smaller states for fostering a new era of development ... However, it is a matter between Uttar Pradesh government and the Centre,'' he told reporters here before emplaning for Muzaffarpur for the second leg of his Seva Yatra.

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Bihar too was divided in 2000 when Jharkhand was carved out of it. The demand for formation of Telangana was already there, besides those for bifurcation of a few more states including Maharashtra, the chief minister said.

Before 2000 when Jharkhand was created, the population of Uttar Pradesh was two-and-a-half times more than undivided Bihar and now it was double than divided Bihar at present.

Mayawati had yesterday announced bringing a resolution in the House in the winter session beginning next week for carving out four new states. The state's cabinet had already approved a resolution for creation of Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Awadh Pradesh and Paschim Pradesh.