Uttar Pradesh minister says state split into four regions is unavoidable

Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Om Prakash Rajbhar of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party announced that splitting the state into four new entities is unavoidable, citing demographic and electoral calculations. He said the Rajbhar community commands the highest vote share across the proposed Purvanchal region, and therefore a Rajbhar chief minister must be part of any future coalition. The four-state model would create Purvanchal in the east, Madhyanchal (or Awadh Pradesh) in the centre, Bundelkhand in the south and Harit Pradesh in the west, each with distinct economic and social challenges.

Rajbhar’s remarks echo historic calls for division, including Ambedkar’s 1955 proposal and a 2011 BSP resolution, though the central government has not acted on them. He also attacked Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for ending reservation benefits for Dalits in government promotions during the party’s previous rule. The statements come ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, reigniting debate over the state’s administrative reorganisation.