Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), March 14 – Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Keshav Prasad Maurya, on Saturday, criticized Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party President, Akhilesh Yadav, for their statements on the LPG cylinder issue, urging them to issue carefully worded messages.
Speaking to reporters during his visit to Prayagraj, Maurya said, "I have started referring to Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi as 'Afwaah Yadav' and 'Afwaah Gandhi' since yesterday."
"They are spreading rumors and misleading the public," he claimed.
He further added, "At a time of global crisis, a responsible politician should send measured messages, showing that if the country faces any danger, we all face it together. But this is not even a crisis."
He claimed that earlier there used to be bookings for 50-55 lakh gas cylinders daily, and now this spread of misinformation has caused panic among people, leading to cylinder bookings exceeding 55 lakh.
The UP Deputy CM said, "Spreading misinformation is a form of propaganda and dirty politics. I condemn such things, and both leaders should refrain from it."
Maurya's comments followed LoP Gandhi's speech in the Lok Sabha, where he raised the issue of LPG shortages affecting the hotel industry, in the wake of the West Asia crisis, and claimed that this was the "beginning of a problem" that would only worsen in the coming days.
"The problem has just started. Restaurants are closing, there is widespread panic about LPG, street vendors are affected, and as I said, this is only the beginning," the Lok Sabha LoP had said.
Addressing the media on the LPG issue, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, on Friday, said, "LPG is 'Lapata Gas'. We don't have cylinders, which is causing difficulties for people at weddings, in kitchens, and elsewhere. People are now gathering cow dung and wood, etc."
Expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of the government, Yadav further said, "It is the government's responsibility to address this, especially when it calls itself a 'double engine sarkar'. During the Covid pandemic and demonetisation, people had to stand in queues, and now people have to wait in queues for LPG cylinders."
Accusing the BJP government of trying to profit in times of war and crisis, he said, "The government itself is spreading rumors. People are unable to book cylinders online. Instead of arranging for LPG cylinders and assuring citizens, the government has increased the minimum waiting period for booking a domestic LPG cylinder."