Addressing the plight of citizens across the state grappling with a shortage of LPG cylinders, Samajwadi Party (SP) National President Akhilesh Yadav has launched a scathing attack on Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
He asserted that the Deputy CM should make his personal contact number public on social media so that common people can procure cylinders with ease.
On Friday, taking to social media, Akhilesh Yadav stated that a recent remark by the BJP Deputy CM of Uttar Pradesh indicates that BJP members themselves are involved in the hoarding and black-marketing of gas cylinders.
The Deputy CM had reportedly said, “Anyone who does not have a gas cylinder should inform us, and we will ensure that a cylinder is delivered to them.”
In this context, Yadav urged the Deputy CM to either share his phone number on social media or provide the address of his residence, office, or even the “underground warehouse” where he allegedly claims cylinders are being stocked.
Notably, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had earlier stated, “If anyone is without a gas cylinder, they should inform my office, and a cylinder will be delivered to them.”
Yadav further alleged that, during this time of crisis, BJP workers do not appear to be actively assisting the public. Despite long queues at gas agencies and petrol pumps, members of the ruling party are nowhere to be seen, he said.
The SP president also contended that, under the policy of finding “opportunity in a disaster,” an artificial crisis is being created to promote black-marketing. He alleged that a sense of scarcity is deliberately generated first, followed by price hikes aimed at earning illicit profits.
Akhilesh Yadav said that the situation is fuelling resentment among the general public, prompting people to question the government’s administrative functioning. He demanded that the government take immediate steps to resolve the crisis and provide relief to the common people.