Divided they fall

Sir — As if the Centre was not preoccupied enough with the question of awarding statehood to Telangana, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayavati, now demands that the state be carved up into four halves (“Maya dares rivals with plan to split state”, Nov 16). Her demand has created a furore as it comes shortly before the state elections. Given the timing of the chief minister’s demand, it can only be a political gimmick.

Mayavati’s reason for demanding a division of the state is that smaller states ensure better administration and greater development. This, however, is faulty reasoning. Jharkhand, for instance, is a relatively small state, which was carved out of Bihar. It is still very backward in terms of development, as are some of the other small states in the country. Larger states like Gujarat, on the other hand, are well on the path to development. The backwardness of certain regions is due to political instability or the lack of political will. Dividing such areas is no solution.The demand for dividing UP can stir more trouble. Other states might also want to be split into smaller administrative districts.

Yours faithfully,
N.R. Ramachandran, Chennai

Sir — Mayavati’s demand for the division of UP seems politically motivated and cannot be supported. Already, India has many more states than it did when it became independent. Such fragmentation is not in the national interest. Most of these new states were created in answer to political demands. The larger the number of states, the more problems for the Centre. This could hamper India’s progress. The creation of new states can only be justified if it fosters economic development. It is not advisable to divide the country further on political grounds.

Yours faithfully,
Mahesh Kumar, New Delhi

Sir — After four-and-a-half years of inefficient and corrupt rule, Mayavati finds it politically expedient to demand the division of UP just before the polls. She claims to have the interest of the people in mind. But it is not clear how the creation of new states will immediately solve the problems of underdevelopment and of non-performance on the part of the government. Neither will such a step solve the problems that beset the aam admi in the state. Four new states will mean more ministers, more corrupt politicians and more trouble. Setting up four new administrative units will also mean more expenditure.

The demand can only work to Mayavati’s political advantage. If the Centre approves the demand, she will be feted for looking after the people’s interest. If the Centre refuses, it will foment political discontent and Mayavati will emerge as the champion of the popular cause. She will be seen as the only politician committed to ‘development’.

Yours faithfully,
Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Faridabad

Sir — Mayavati is a leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party, which claims to represent Dalit interests. She therefore bolstered her proposal for four new states by citing the “ideology” of the famous Dalit leader, B.R. Ambedkar. The latter, she claimed, had always believed in “smaller states and smaller administrative units”. However, such a demand may backfire on the chief minister.

The United Progressive Alliance government is already grappling with statehood demands from various parts of the country. It will be difficult for the Central government to agree to Mayavati’s proposal at such a time. The plan to divide the state will also entail an immense drain on the public exchequer. It is mystifying that someone who claims to be a leader of the masses can support such vast public expenses just to divide the vote-bank in UP.

At a time when national unity and a unified leadership are desperately needed, Mayavati’s comments are disheartening. They could prove to be socially and politically divisive. Right from the start, Mayavati’s rule in UP has been destructive for the state. Indians all over the world watched helplessly as the chief minister squandered a fortune in public funds on constructing statues, parks and memorials. The country’s intelligentsia has been powerless to stop her.

Leaders like Mayavati often come to power for the lack of an alternative among politicians. Perhaps the Indian electoral system is also to blame, in some cases, for such results. The party that wins the most number of votes can form a government. This means that Indian politicians can come to power even if they do not have an absolute majority. Given the circumstances, it will not be surprising if Mayavati wins the next elections as well and follows through with her plan to split UP into four parts.

Yours faithfully,
Rakesh Verma, Doha, Qatar

Sir — If every demand of statehood is to be fulfilled, it will become next to impossible for the Centre to govern the nation. With new states, local and regional parties will become stronger, challenging the power of the party at the Centre. This could threaten and destabilize the Central government.

Economic pressures will also increase. Politicians of Mayavati’s ilk should stop playing with the unity and integrity of the country.

Yours faithfully,
Shailesh Kumar Battrahalli, Bangalore