(NEWS) Mayawati gives conditional nod for Bundelkhand

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Friday agreed to the creation of a separate state of Bundelkhand, provided the central government initiated the process. While addressing the state assembly here, the chief minister said: "Creation of a state is a central subject, so once the central government moots the proposal, we will be the first ones to ratify it."

She observed: "Our party has always been in favour of smaller states because we feel that these are better administered."

She vehemently denied any starvation deaths in the Bundelkhand region. "Reports about starvation deaths in Bundelkhand are all baseless and concocted. Yes, there is no denying the fact that the present situation in the region is serious, but the previous government is responsible for bringing things to such a pass."

She blamed the central government for denying a special economic package to solve the long pending crisis in the region. "We have already worked out a number of schemes and allocated funds to provide respite to the people there," she added.

Courtesy: IANS