Heated Exchange in Assembly as Energy Minister, Shivpal Yadav Trade Sharp Words

Lucknow, Feb 13: A tense verbal duel unfolded in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly during the budget session as Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma and senior Samajwadi Party MLA Shivpal Singh Yadav locked horns over the state’s progress in electricity and road infrastructure.

Participating in the discussion on the Governor’s address, Sharma credited the Yogi Adityanath-led government with expanding urban amenities and ensuring improved power supply across both cities and rural regions. He maintained that the administration has prioritised inclusive development and strengthened essential services statewide.

Yadav strongly disputed the minister’s claims, arguing that several parts of the state still struggle with inadequate roads and irregular electricity. He asserted that the previous Samajwadi Party government had laid the foundation for infrastructure growth and questioned the credibility of the current administration’s achievements.

Responding sharply, Sharma accused the former regime of favouritism, alleging that uninterrupted electricity was once limited to select areas such as Saifai, the native village of the SP leadership in Etawah district. He contrasted this with the present scenario, stating that the government now delivers between 21 and 24 hours of power supply across the state, marking a shift from “VIP culture” to broader public benefit.

The minister further highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s performance in national initiatives, including the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, and said the state continues to lead in implementing central welfare programmes. He also took aim at the opposition’s criticism on law and order, remarking that their comments were inconsistent with their own record in governance.

The confrontation triggered strong reactions from opposition benches and reflected the sharpening political contest between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party as the state moves closer to the next Assembly elections.