PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar has supported UP chief minister Mayawati's move to carve out four states from the country's most populous state.

"In principle, our party is in favour of smaller states," Kumar said on Wednesday, adding that such a division would ensure better governance.The CM said UP is a large state, larger than the unified Bihar (when Jharkhand was its part) and more than double of the bifurcated Bihar.

"If smaller states are created, they could be better governed. As such, we support the move," he said. Hailing the Centre's decision to reduce the recent hike in the petrol price, Nitish said the petrol price should not have been increased in the first place. Since fuel prices are directly linked with inflation, there should be a proper mechanism to ensure adjustment of its prices as per the international prices. "People should not be overburdened," he added.

TOI Patna