'BJP will sell off power dept to pvt cos, who will then exploit citizens'

Lucknow: Accusing the BJP of systematically dismantling public services for profiteering, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said the UP govt was preparing to sell off the state's power department to private operators, who will then exploit common citizens through exorbitant electricity bills.

"The BJP's market is now ready to auction off the power sector. Once it's sold, private companies will plunder the pockets of the public in the name of billing," Yadav said, warning that this would pave the way for corporate monopoly in essential services.

The former CM said during the BJP's nearly decade-long rule, no significant progress was made in power generation, transmission, or distribution.

"Despite being in office for nine years, the BJP govt in Uttar Pradesh has not added even a single new unit of power generation. The only thing they've increased is the burden on citizens—through rising electricity tariffs," he said. He claimed people are facing acute power crisis across rural and urban areas.

"This is the peak season for paddy transplantation, yet farmers are left without power. The situation in small towns and villages is even worse," he said.

The SP chief alleged that the BJP is deliberately degrading the power infrastructure to create a pretext for privatisation. "Whether it is the central govt or the one in Lucknow, the BJP is obsessed with selling public assets. They've appointed the current power minister with the specific aim of selling off the department to close associates," he claimed. Akhilesh further said the blame for poor power services is now being pinned on departmental staff, so that the ground is prepared for handing over the entire system to private players. "Let me make this clear: whatever electricity is reaching our homes today is due to the efforts made by the SP govt. We established power plants in Etah, Kanpur Dehat, Lalitpur, Panki and several other districts during our term," he said.

He also slammed the BJP for failing to invest in or expand power infrastructure.

"The BJP doesn't want to fix the system; it wants to sell it off. Their agenda is to privatise every govt department, abolish public sector jobs, and weaken reservation policies," he added.

Reaffirming his party's stance, Akhilesh said the SP firmly opposes the privatisation of public services. "The people of state now see through the BJP's doublespeak. They understand the vast gap between what the BJP promises and what it delivers," he said. He added that public anger was simmering, and they will ensure that the BJP's "unjust" rule ends in 2027.

"This govt has betrayed the people. Come 2027, public will ensure justice is done at the ballot box," he said.