Prayagraj: Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to reduce fuel consumption. Maurya said the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister's role was limited to "tweeting from an air-conditioned room."
Maurya defends PM's appeal
Addressing mediapersons at the Circuit House during his two-day visit to Prayagraj, Maurya stated that while the public has welcomed the PM's appeal, the opposition continued to indulge in negative politics. He said Akhilesh's PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) narrative was "fake, anti-poor and caste-driven."
The deputy CM highlighted that he himself reduced the number of vehicles in his own convoy, and the same practice is being followed by all BJP-headed states and ministers. Referring to past national crises, Maurya cited former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's appeal to citizens to skip one meal during difficult times and Indira Gandhi's 1967 appeal discouraging gold purchases.
Akhilesh's cycle remark
On Akhilesh's remarks that "the cycle is the best option," Maurya said the SP's "cycle already got punctured in 2014 and 2017." He added that while cycling is good for citizens' health, associating with the Samajwadi Party would "harm the future of Uttar Pradesh."
Portfolio allocation and NEET
When questioned about the delay in portfolio allocation to newly appointed ministers in the state cabinet, Maurya said such decisions were the exclusive prerogative of the chief minister. He also stated that the government is taking strict action in the NEET paper leak matter.
BJP's future plans
Later, while interacting with party workers, Maurya urged BJP cadres to work hard for the 2027 UP Assembly elections and ensure victory on all 12 seats in Prayagraj. He also congratulated party workers on BJP's victory in the Alopibagh ward councillor election.
Maurya is scheduled to inaugurate the two-day Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay District Training Camp organised by the BJP Prayagraj Mahanagar unit.
About the Author: Rajeev Mani has been working in TOI's Prayagraj bureau for the past two decades, handling beats from education to excise and taxation to aviation. He loves travelling, singing, and meeting people, especially academics. He has extensively covered two Ardh Kumbhs (2007 and 2019) and two Maha Kumbhs (2013 and 2025) along with different assembly and general elections.
