Division of states involves complicated process: Sriprakash Jaiswal

Terming the resolution on division of Uttar Pradesh as "gimmickry", Union Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal Monday said if the state government was really serious on the issue, it should have started the process two-three years back.

"Wary of Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi's activeness in the state, the Mayawati government is taking decision based on gimmickry," he told reporters in Lucknow.

"Sensing that its base was eroding, the government brought a proposal for division of the state after completing more than four-and-a-half years of its tenure. People understand this gimmickry," the Union Coal Minister said.

Jaiswal said several states had been divided in the past and people are aware of the complicated process involved.

He said if the government was really serious on the issue, it should have started the process two-three years back and taken advice from the Centre.

The minister said the manner in which the government got the proposal on a serious issue passed by a voice vote was "shameful".

He said the Congress demands the second State Reorganisation Commission which would examine the viability of the division and new states should be created on the basis of its recommendations.

Regarding Rahul's yatra in seven districts from Tuesday, Jaiswal said the Congress leader would interact with the workers and people and the tour would end with a public meeting in Kushinagar on November 26.