Amar to BJP: Clarify stand on Poorvanchal

Ballia, Jan 17 (PTI) Accusing the BJP of doublespeakon the creation of a separate Poorvanchal state, expelled SPleader Amar Singh today asked it to clarify its stand on theissue.

Kickstarting the second phase of his ''PoorvanchalSwabhimaan Yatra'' here, the Lok Manch founder accused ChiefMinister and BSP head Mayawati of lacking political will forcreation of the new state to be carved out of Uttar Pradesh.

Alleging the BJP was adopting double standard on theissue, he said its senior leader L K Advani was in favour ofsmaller states and was supporting the cause for a Telenganastate.

On the other hand, former BJP president Rajnath Singhwas speaking against the creation of a separate Poorvanchalstate, he told reporters.

The saffron party should clarify its stand on theissue, Singh said.

Attacking Mayawati, he said "though she talks aboutcreation of a Poorvanchal state, she has failed to show thethe political will for the same."

This was the reason she did not get a proposal in thisregard okayed from the state assembly, Singh said.

He said Poorvanchal was not a political issue for himand he would continue to fight for the creation of the newstate.

Singh said he had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singhand told him about the "discrimination being meted out by theUP government to the Poorvanchal region".