The demand to divide Uttar Pradesh into four states is nothing new. It had been a long-standing demand from former prime minister Charan Singh that western Uttar Pradesh be carved out into a separate state.
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/07.12.2011/history_on_uttar_pradesh_division.htm
http://ummid.com/news/2011/December/07.12.2011/history_on_uttar_pradesh_division.htm