Sultanpur: Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister AK Sharma faced backlash after responding to complaints about severe power cuts in Sultanpur with religious chants instead of solutions. A viral video shows traders pleading for relief from 3-hour daily electricity supply, only for Sharma to chant "Jai Shri Ram" and drive away without addressing concerns.
The incident highlights UP’s worsening power crisis, with rural areas receiving barely 3 hours of electricity amid scorching heat. Local traders submitted a four-point demand including grid upgrades and separate feeders, but have received no assurances. "Does chanting solve blackouts?" asked a shopkeeper.
Opposition parties slammed the BJP government’s "failure" to boost capacity. "No new power plants in a decade, only privatization benefiting cronies," said Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi. AAP shared the video, mocking the minister’s "escape from accountability."
Officials claim infrastructure upgrades are underway, but with privatisation plans advancing, residents fear prolonged outages. As anger grows, the episode risks becoming emblematic of the government’s perceived disconnect from ground realities.
