"If the Centre agrees the state government is ready to get a resolution adopted by the state vidhan sabha seeking division of Uttar Pradesh into three parts - Poorvanchal, districts of western region and the Bundelkhand region," the BSP chief said.

"It is not within the authority of the state government to divide. Only the Centre can do this," she said.

Mayawati's remarks came close on the heels of the demand by Congress to carve out a separate state of Bundelkhand.

A delegation led by Uttar Pradesh state Congress chief Rita Bahuguna-Joshi met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week and demanded setting up of the Second States Reorganisation Commission for the purpose.

Mayawati said that the BSP had always favoured creation of smaller states. "UP is still too big even after creation of Uttarakhand," she added.

However, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has opposed any further division of the state.