SP, BJP trade barbs after posters accusing previous govt of power theft surfaces in Lucknow

Big posters with pictures of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other senior leaders with ''Katiyabaaz'' (power thief) written on them surfaced in several parts of Lucknow on Sunday, triggering a fresh political controversy. Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister A K Sharma alleged that ''Katiyabaaz received protection during Akhilesh's rule'' and accused the previous SP dispensation of encouraging organised electricity theft and corruption in the power sector. The posters, put up in areas including Bangla Bazaar and Old Jail Road, carried slogans such as ''Ramzan mein bijli full, Diwali par bijli gul,'' reviving old political allegations linked to power supply during the SP regime. The hoardings also referred to senior SP leaders, including Azam Khan and late MP Zia ur Rahman Barq, with ''electricity thieves'' written on them and mentioning past controversies and cases related to alleged power theft. Several posters were designed in the style of media headlines, helping the issue gain traction on social media. A separate video also surfaced online in which a Samajwadi Party supporter was allegedly seen tearing down one of the posters. Reacting sharply to the controversy, the media cell of the Samajwadi Party posted on X, accusing the BJP government of orchestrating the poster campaign. In the post, the party said, ''Chief Minister Adityanath Bisht, whose government is putting up false posters against others, should know that the day the Samajwadi Party starts putting up posters, those hiding behind such propaganda will have no place to hide.'' No official information has emerged on who installed the hoardings. The minister further alleged that the previous regime had ''completely damaged'' the state's electricity system and allowed mafias and local strongmen to operate illegal power connections openly. ''Their goons and mafias had become distributors everywhere. They themselves stole electricity and also got others to do the same,'' Sharma said, alleging that organised electricity theft was rampant in districts such as Sambhal and Mathura during SP rule. The minister further claimed that transformers, poles and electricity wires installed during the SP government were of poor quality and that the current government was still dealing with the consequences. He also accused the previous government of irregularities in electricity purchase agreements and recruitments in the power department. Highlighting the BJP government's performance, Sharma said the Yogi Adityanath-led administration had reduced corruption through technology and digital systems and provided 1.65 crore new electricity connections across the state. According to the government, district headquarters are currently receiving 24-hour electricity supply, tehsil headquarters 22 hours and rural areas 20 hours daily.

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