New Delhi, Dec 20 (PTI): Congress on Monday saw nothing wrong in the Centre returning to Mayawati-ruled Uttar Pradesh the Assembly resolution for the division of poll-bound UP into four states, saying the "politically expedient" move to split the state deserved this fate.

"It was an ill-conceived, casual, politically expedient move thrown in the ring which deserved the fate it has met", party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told.

He said it was but natural for the Centre to seek clarifications on several issues from the BSP Government as the move has been resorted to "without any consultations with all parties and without any recommendation of the state reorganisation commission".

While returning the proposal to Uttar Pradesh, the Union Home Ministry said that it required clarifications on several key issues before acting on the resolution passed by the UP Assembly seeking creation of Awadh Pradesh, Poorvanchal, Budelkhand and Pachim Pradesh by splitting UP.

Taking opposition by surprise, Chief Minister Mayawati had proposed division of UP into four states and her government moved a resolution to this effect in the assembly in November, a move dubbed as political gimmick by her detractors ahead of the next year's Assembly elections.