Prayagraj: Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce fuel consumption and said the former UP CM’s role was limited to “tweeting from an air-conditioned room”.Addressing mediapersons at the Circuit House during his two-day visit to Prayagraj, Maurya said while the public has welcomed the PM’s appeal, the opposition continued to indulge in negative politics.He said Akhilesh’s PDA narrative was “fake, anti-poor and caste-driven”.The deputy CM said he reduced the number of vehicles in his own convoy and the same is being done by all BJP-headed states and ministers.Referring to past national crises, Maurya cited former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s appeal to citizens to skip one meal during difficult times and Indira Gandhi’s 1967 appeal discouraging gold purchases.On Akhilesh’s remarks that “the cycle is the best option,” Maurya said the SP’s “cycle already got punctured in 2014 and 2017.” He added that while cycling was good for citizens’ health, associating with the Samajwadi Party would “harm the future of Uttar Pradesh.”On questions regarding delay in portfolio allocation to newly appointed ministers in the state cabinet, Maurya said such decisions were the exclusive prerogative of the chief minister.He also said govt was taking strict action in the NEET paper leak matter.Later, while interacting with party workers, Maurya urged BJP cadres to work hard for the 2027 UP Assembly elections and ensure victory on all 12 seats in Prayagraj.He also congratulated party workers on BJP’s victory in the Alopibagh ward councillor election.Maurya is scheduled to inaugurate the two-day Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay District Training Camp organised by the BJP Prayagraj Mahanagar unit.
