Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Jayant Patil on Monday took a dig at the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, questioning if the "double-engine government" has run out of oil amid reports of fuel shortage in the state.
Addressing a press conference, Patil said, "The double-engine government is in power in Maharashtra. But reports of fuel shortage are emerging from various parts of the state. Has the government run out of oil?"
The term "double-engine government" is often used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to describe its alliance with the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) in the state, implying that both the central and state governments are working in tandem.
Patil's remarks come after several districts in Maharashtra reported a shortage of petrol and diesel over the past few days. The opposition has blamed the state government for mismanagement, while the ruling parties have cited logistical issues due to heavy rains and increased demand.
Maharashtra's Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, however, dismissed the claims of a fuel crisis, stating that the situation is under control. "There is no shortage of fuel in Maharashtra. Some areas faced temporary disruption due to rains, but it has been resolved," Bhujbal said.
Meanwhile, the state's oil companies have assured that adequate stock is available and that supply will be normalized soon. The opposition has demanded a thorough inquiry into the matter.
