‘Public will thrash BJP’: Akhilesh Yadav takes jibe at Yogi govt over power cut complaints amid heatwave in UP

Akhilesh Yadav questioned the UP government's functioning and mocked the alleged lack of coordination between CM Yogi and Energy Minister AK Sharma.

Published on: May 27, 2026, 15:00:47 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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Amid complaints of power cuts in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, accusing the BJP government of failing to manage the electricity situation in the state.

In a post on X, Yadav questioned the functioning of the state government. (Deepak Gupta/Hindustan Times)

In a post on X, Yadav questioned the functioning of the state government and took a swipe at what he described as a lack of coordination between the Chief Minister and Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma.

“Agle chunav main janata BJP ko acche se dho-patakkar hamesha ke liye sukha degi (In the next election, the public will thoroughly thrash the BJP and dry it up for good). Thank goodness UP's 'failed Chief Minister' didn't say that behind this 'great electricity disaster' is a conspiracy by the envoy sent by Delhi. It should be clarified whether the Electricity Minister doesn't attend the Chief Minister's review meetings or is not invited. If he does attend, the honourable one is requested to post a photo with a hand on the shoulder--the public might get some relief from your 'mutual warmth', because the public has never seen the two of you together,” Yadav said.

Opposition raises questions over government response

The Samajwadi Party chief also criticised the government’s handling of public anger over electricity outages. Referring to the deployment of Pradeshik Armed Constabulary personnel at electricity substations, he alleged that the BJP government was attempting to shield itself from criticism instead of addressing the concerns of residents facing disruptions.

Also read | UP’s power consumption jumps over 113% in 12 years as access expands

“In BJP rule, PAC is deployed at electricity sub-stations, and MLAs-MPs write letters against their own government, cowardly trying to escape the public's anger. There's no current left in the BJP now,” he added.

Yadav’s remarks came as the Uttar Pradesh government continued to defend its power supply management and highlighted record electricity distribution figures in the state.

UP’s power consumption jumps over 113% in 12 years

UP’s annual electricity consumption has more than doubled over the past 12 years, reflecting not merely a rise in demand but also a structural transformation in the state’s power sector, with the expanding consumer base and longer supply hours apparently unlocking previously unmet demand.

Also read | UP records highest-ever power supply, surpasses Maharashtra in peak demand fulfilment, says Yogi Adityanath government

Data from the Uttar Pradesh State Load Dispatch Centre (UPSLDC) shows annual energy consumption increasing from 76,574.6 million units (MU) in 2012-13 to 1,62,858.1 MU in 2025-26, a rise of over 113%. Average daily consumption also more than doubled from 209.8 MU to 445.7 MU during the period, earlier HT reported.

UP records highest-ever power supply, says Yogi

Amid soaring summer temperatures, Uttar Pradesh recorded its highest-ever electricity supply by meeting a peak demand of 31,824 MW on May 24, the state government said on May 26.

The government claimed the achievement placed Uttar Pradesh ahead of Maharashtra, which supplied 29,463 MW during the same period, making it the highest power supply recorded by any state in the country so far.

According to officials, the record peak demand was successfully met at 10:29 pm on May 24. Earlier in 2025, the highest recorded peak demand in the state stood at 31,486 MW, earlier HT reported.

Energy minister highlights record supply figures

Meanwhile, Energy Minister AK Sharma said Uttar Pradesh had achieved its highest-ever electricity supply and claimed the state was setting new benchmarks in power distribution.

“We are providing the highest power supply in the history of Uttar Pradesh. This morning at 2:33 AM, the peak supply of Uttar Pradesh crossed 31,000 MW. Now, at 10:01 PM, breaking all previous records, our peak supply has reached 31,774 MW. It may reach 32,000 MW tonight itself. Believe me, this is the highest in the history of the state. It is also the highest in the country. We have broken our own record,” he posted on X on Sunday.

(With inputs from HT correspondents, PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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