Story perspectives

UP to split into four states after caste census

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 4:15 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Om Prakash Rajbhar announced Uttar Pradesh will be split into four states after a caste census.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised the caste census to enable division on September 21, 2026.
Rajbhar community holds the largest Purvanchal vote share, making a Rajbhar chief minister a non-negotiable alliance condition.
Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad opposed the split and highlighted development funds for Bundelkhand and Purvanchal.

History

Historical Context

On 9 November 2000 the Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, introduced by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and signed by President K. R. Narayanan, created the 27th state of Uttarakhand from 13 hill districts. The move transferred about 3 million voters and set a precedent for new states. Today Om Prakash Rajbhar cites that precedent while urging a further split of Uttar Pradesh to amplify the Rajbhar community’s Purvanchal vote.

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Story summary

Om Prakash Rajbhar announced Uttar Pradesh will be split into four states after a caste census.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised the caste census to enable division on September 21, 2026.
Rajbhar community holds the largest Purvanchal vote share, making a Rajbhar chief minister a non-negotiable alliance condition.
Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad opposed the split and highlighted development funds for Bundelkhand and Purvanchal.

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