Mulayam govt rejects 'Harit Pradesh' mooted by ally RLD

Lucknow, Aug 24 (UNI) The Mulayam Singh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh today rejected the demand for a separate Harit Pradesh as demanded by its coalition ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD).

Replying to a question of BJP's Laxmikant Bajpai, state parliamentary affairs minister Mohd Azam Khan said nor there is any proposal nor any consideration for Harit Pradesh.

To a query if there was any difference between the two allies over the issue, the minister claimed it was between them as several issues had been kept untouched to continue the coalition dharma.

He informed the government had received an RLD memorandum through Raj Bhawan demanding a separate state comprising Moradabad, Meerut, Agra and Bareilly divisions.

However, RLD's Ajay Kumar said his party was committed to the separate state and were ready to make any sacrifice on the issue.

He also asked if BJP was now supporting Harit Pradesh as they have opposed it in the past.

UNI MB VS RL KP1722