Akhilesh Yadav Slams BJP Over Commercial LPG Price Hike and Smart Meter Rollout

New Delhi, May 04: Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the ruling Narendra Modi-led BJP government over multiple public issues, including rising commercial LPG prices, alleged irregularities in smart meter installations, and the condition of the education sector in Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing a press conference at the Samajwadi Party headquarters in Lucknow, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister alleged that consumers were being subjected to unfair practices through the smart electricity meter system.

SP Chief Raises Questions on Smart Meter Transparency

Yadav claimed that large-scale discrepancies were occurring in the implementation of smart meters across the state, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

He questioned the credibility of the technology driven systems being introduced by the government and said that if manipulation was possible in smart meter operations, similar concerns could naturally arise regarding the safety and integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

According to him, the public deserves complete transparency in systems that directly impact citizens’ lives and democratic processes.

BJP Accused of Fear Politics and Inflation Mismanagement

The Samajwadi Party leader also accused the BJP of using propaganda and fear-based campaigning to influence voters during elections.

He alleged that the ruling party was attempting to create social divisions by encouraging controversial songs and provocative messaging through DJ systems during public events. Yadav urged people across the state to remain cautious and maintain communal harmony.

Taking aim at the government’s economic record, he stated that inflation and corruption had increased significantly under the BJP administration. He further alleged that people linked to the ruling establishment were benefitting financially while ordinary citizens continued to struggle with rising costs, including commercial LPG prices.

Education Sector Comes Under Spotlight

The SP chief also raised concerns about the state of primary education in Uttar Pradesh. He alleged that nearly 21,000 primary schools had been shut down, while thousands of others were functioning without student enrolment.

Yadav claimed the situation reflected the declining condition of the education system and accused the government of neglecting rural and government-run schools.

Meritorious Students Receive Laptops

During the event, Akhilesh Yadav honoured toppers of the High School and Intermediate board examinations by distributing laptops to them. He congratulated the students for their academic achievements and wished them success in their future careers.

The programme was presented by the Samajwadi Party as part of its continued emphasis on youth empowerment and education support initiatives.

Promise of Free Education Till PG Level

Highlighting the party’s future agenda, Yadav announced that if the Samajwadi Party forms the government in Uttar Pradesh in 2027, it would introduce free education from Kindergarten (KG) to Post-Graduate (PG) level.

He said the proposed policy would aim to reduce the financial burden on families and ensure wider access to quality education for students from all backgrounds.

The remarks come as political parties intensify preparations for the upcoming electoral battles in Uttar Pradesh, with education, inflation, and governance expected to remain central campaign themes.