New Delhi: BJP on Wednesday termed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's decision to divide the state into four parts as a "political stunt" before the Assembly elections and indicated that one of these states will have a Muslim majority which could lead to "Kashmir-like" problems.
BJP leader Uma Bharti said this decision was "completely a political stunt" and Mayawati had not consulted other political parties to form a consensus on the issue before making the announcement.
"She has made this announcement just before the elections and acted unmindful of the sentiments of the local people," Bharti, who is in charge of the party's affairs in Uttar Pradesh, said.
Ideologically, BJP has always been in favour of smaller states and had formed Uttaranchal, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh in 2000 when the NDA was in power at the Centre.
It also supports the demand for Telangana.
However, BJP is concerned that carving out a separate state from Western UP may go against it as it will have a Muslim majority and the party is not likely to win seats here.
Though no leader spoke on this aspect of the issue, the party gave indications to this effect.
"Before forming a new state the opinion of the local people should be taken, the demographic profile of the new state should be kept in mind, geographical concerns should be addressed and logistical issues should be looked into," Bharti said.
BJP leaders cite the example of Kashmir where the Muslims are in a minority and "have forced the Kashmiri pandits to flee from the state". Some in the party feel Paschim Pradesh may witness a similar scenario with Hindus at the receiving end.
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