Don't take hasty decision on UP division: Advani

BJP leader LK Advani said on Thursday that any move to divide Uttar Pradesh should not be made in haste.

“Reorganisation of states is a very serious issue and can’t be done in haste,” Advani told mediapersons in Chandigarh.

“The matter should be looked into by the union government’s states reorganisation commission.”

Uttar Pradeh chief minister Mayawati has proposed division of the state into four — Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Awadh Pradesh and Paschim Pradesh.

“On her (Mayawati) proposal, I will neither say yes nor no. The issue should be thoughtfully considered and discussed,” Advani, who is on a Jan Chetna Yatra, said.

Claiming that he was getting a better response in this yatra than all his previous yatras, Advani reiterated that the BJP would take on the UPA government in the forthcoming winter session of Parliament for not disclosing the names of people with black money in banks abroad.

“Openness and candour are expected from the government about the names of people who have stashed away black money in Switzerland-based banks,” he said, adding that several “big and small” countries had been successful in bringing back black money.

“The yatra covering about 6,500km in 22 states and five union territories has helped me take issues to the people across the country and build consensus against corruption, black money and price rise, ” he said.

(with inputs from PTI)