Lucknow, March 19: The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee has suggested the party high command to include the promise of dividing Uttar Pradesh into four parts for better governance in the party’s national manifesto for the April-May Lok Sabha elections. The Congress's state unit has favoured the division of Uttar Pradesh into Purvanchal (east), Awadh Pradesh (central part), Paschim Pradesh (west) and Bundelkhand.

Along with the division, the Congress's UP unit wants some parts of Madhya Pradesh to be included into Bundelkhand. "We have suggested that this should be a part of the national manifesto. It is very important to divide UP into four states for better governance," said a state Congress functionary told Hindustan Times. The proposal highlights Congress's strategy to cash in on the sub-regional sentiments. Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Act Against Narendra Modi for ‘Chowkidar’ Campaign, Congress Tells EC.

Another Congress leader said the party has always pitched for formation of smaller states for equitable development. "We don’t want to upstage any individual or any party but are keen to see the progress of all the regions," he was quoted as saying. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has been a staunch supporter of Uttar Pradesh's division. She had argued that smaller states could be governed better. PM Narendra Modi Shares 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' Video Song to Kick-Start BJP's Campaign For Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

Mayawati, as the UP chief minister, had floated the idea of dividing UP into four states in 2011, a few months before the state assembly elections in 2012. The BSP had also passed a resolution in the assembly in this regard and forwarded it to the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre. The proposal hit a roadblock after Mayawati was voted out of power in 2012.

The Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh will be held between April 11 and May 19 in seven phases and the counting of votes will take place on May 23.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2019 08:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).