Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday
reserved its order on two public interest litigations seeking
quashing of a resolution passed by the UP assembly to divide
the state into four parts.
The Lucknow Bench, comprising justices Pradeep Kant and
Shabihul Hasnain, reserved the order after hearing arguments
of petitioners and counsel of Central and state governments.
Two separate petitions were filed in the court last month
challenging the resolution passed on November 21.
The PILs have challenged the resolution on the ground
that the state government has no such power and the action is
"arbitrary and unconstitutional".
The petitioners contended they were residing in UP, hence
a division of the state would affect their interest.
They prayed for quashing the resolution and also sought
directions for placing it before the Vidhan Sabha Speaker for
fresh consideration.
The UP assembly during its winter session passed the
resolution to divide the state into four parts.
UP Chief Minister Mayawati had moved the resolution to
split the state into Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Avadh Pradesh
and Pashchim Pradesh.
It was passed by a voice vote.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 14, 2011, 20:43