Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai has launched a verbal attack on Om Prakash Rajbhar, chief of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP). This criticism follows Rajbhar’s call for the division of Uttar Pradesh into four distinct states, made during an SBSP rally held in Deoria on Sunday. Rai specifically took issue with Rajbhar’s assertion that if a separate Purvanchal state were established, a member of the Rajbhar community would assume the role of Chief Minister.

Concerning Rajbhar’s suggestion that a ‘Rajbhar’s son’ could lead Purvanchal, Rai expressed scepticism about Rajbhar’s own electoral prospects. He remarked that the SBSP leader should first ascertain whether he would secure a position as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) or merely hold a ministerial role.

Rai described Rajbhar’s comments as indicative of “intellectual bankruptcy” and charged the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its partners with attempting to mislead the electorate. Rai further indicated that voters are increasingly disillusioned with prevalent issues such as inflation, unemployment, and corruption, asserting that these factors would lead to the current ruling coalition being ousted come election time.

Rajbhar on Caste Census and State Division

During the SBSP’s Samajik Samrasta Maha Rally, Rajbhar reiterated his claim that Uttar Pradesh would be divided into four parts following the completion of a caste census. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had provided assurances regarding the potential division of the state post-census.

In his speech, Rajbhar stated, “The state will be divided into four parts. On the day Purvanchal is formed, if the Chief Minister is to be from any caste, then a Rajbhar’s son will become the Chief Minister.” Rai was eventually questioned about the Congress party’s stance on the proposal to divide Uttar Pradesh.

He acknowledged that such matters are typically discussed at the national level within the party and that he would be able to provide a clearer perspective after conferring with the party’s leadership. In his remarks, he suggested that if a state minister was making such a declaration, it must have been a topic of conversation within the cabinet.

On the issue of state division, Rai stated, “Whether you divide the state into four, six, or eight parts, people are tired of you.” This statement seems to underscore the ongoing discontent among the populace regarding governance in Uttar Pradesh.

Demands for State Re-organisation

The call for reorganisation of Uttar Pradesh into smaller states is not a recent development. In 2011, when the Mayawati-led government was in power, a proposal was submitted to the Central Government to divide the state into Purvanchal, Paschim Pradesh, Awadh Pradesh, and Bundelkhand.

Over the years, various political parties, including the Congress, have shown support for the idea of reorganising the state at different times. This long-standing demand highlights ongoing discussions regarding governance and representation within the diverse landscape of Uttar Pradesh.

As political sentiments evolve, the viability of such proposals continues to be a point of contention among political actors and the electorate. As political dynamics shift, the emphasis on regional identity and representation may play a significant role in shaping future governance in Uttar Pradesh, making this an issue worth monitoring in the approaching electoral cycle.

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