Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Rajbhar Revives Debate Over Dividing Uttar Pradesh Into Four States
Om Prakash Rajbhar said Uttar Pradesh may be divided into four smaller states.
He claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him this could happen after a caste census.
Rajbhar also connected the idea to 27% reservation.
He said a Rajbhar could become chief minister of a new Purvanchal state.
The four proposed regions are Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Avadh Pradesh and Paschim Pradesh.
Sanjay Nishad said Rajbhar’s claim was misleading and opposed dividing the state.
Akhilesh Yadav and another Samajwadi Party leader also rejected the proposal.
The Bahujan Samaj Party pointed to an earlier Assembly-approved division plan under Mayawati.
The issue is being discussed again before the 2027 Uttar Pradesh election.
Om Prakash Rajbhar claimed Narendra Modi assured him Uttar Pradesh could be divided after a caste census.
Rajbhar linked the proposal to 27% reservation and said a Rajbhar could become chief minister of Purvanchal.
The proposed states are Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Avadh Pradesh and Paschim Pradesh.
Sanjay Nishad called the claim misleading, while Akhilesh Yadav and an SP leader opposed dividing the state.
The debate, which dates back nearly two decades, has resurfaced ahead of Uttar Pradesh’s early 2027 elections.
- Who
- Om Prakash Rajbhar, Narendra Modi, Sanjay Nishad, Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and other Uttar Pradesh political leaders.
- What
- Rajbhar revived debate over dividing Uttar Pradesh into four states after a caste census.
- When
- Rajbhar made the claim at a Sunday rally; political reactions followed on Monday, ahead of elections scheduled for early 2027.
- Where
- At an SBSP rally in Deoria and in political statements made in Lucknow.
- Why
- Rajbhar linked division to caste enumeration, reservation and regional representation, while opponents emphasized development and state unity.
Support or Conditional Support for Division
Opposition to Division
Regional administration and development
Support or Conditional Support for Division
Rajbhar revived the proposal, while the Bahujan Samaj Party said dividing large districts or the state could support better development.
Opposition to Division
Sanjay Nishad said Uttar Pradesh is progressing and that special development funds have been allocated to regions including Bundelkhand and Purvanchal.
Caste census and representation
Support or Conditional Support for Division
Rajbhar claimed a caste census could clear the way for division and said a Rajbhar could lead a future Purvanchal state.
Opposition to Division
Akhilesh Yadav and a Samajwadi Party leader said development and strengthening the state should take priority over such promises.
Political credibility
Support or Conditional Support for Division
The Bahujan Samaj Party pointed to the Assembly-approved proposal during Mayawati’s tenure and said substantial action would come when she returned to power.
Opposition to Division
Sanjay Nishad called Rajbhar’s claim misleading, while Akhilesh Yadav warned against efforts to divide the state and country.
- Claimed assurance
- Rajbhar said Narendra Modi told him division could follow a caste census.
- Proposed states
- Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Avadh Pradesh and Paschim Pradesh.
- Reservation link
- Rajbhar connected the proposal to the 27% reservation issue.
- Political alliance
- Rajbhar’s Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party is allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh.
- Opposition
- Sanjay Nishad, Akhilesh Yadav and a Samajwadi Party leader rejected or questioned the proposal.
- Earlier proposal
- Mayawati’s government secured state Assembly approval for a four-region division proposal in 2011.
- Election timeline
- Uttar Pradesh elections are scheduled for early 2027.
