Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow
Lucknow, May 15: Hours after petrol and diesel prices were increased, Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his appeal to save fuel amid the West Asia crisis.
Reacting to the fuel price hike, Akhilesh posted on X that the bicycle — the official election symbol of the Samajwadi Party — was the only alternative, suggesting that his party alone could provide the path of development.
Sharing an illustration of himself riding a bicycle, Akhilesh wrote in Hindi, “If one has to move forward, then a bicycle is the only option.”
The Centre had increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 following Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation amid disruptions in global oil supply linked to the West Asia conflict.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has begun implementing several eco-friendly measures in response to the Prime Minister’s call. Ministers and senior officials have started commuting by bicycle, electric vehicles and public transport.
State finance minister Suresh Kumar Khanna cycled from his official residence to the office, while minister Dinesh Pratap Singh travelled by public transport.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has reduced his official convoy by 50 per cent and has also shifted to virtual meetings. The state government has additionally announced a two-day work-from-home policy.
In Barabanki, District Magistrate Ishan Pratap Singh walked from his residence to the collectorate office along with Additional District Magistrate Nirankar Singh.
Varanasi Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari also walked from his residence to the Municipal Corporation office on Thursday.
Municipal Corporation Public Relations Officer Sandeep Srivastava announced that every Saturday would be observed as ‘No Fuel Day’.
At the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow, Director Radha Krishan Dhiman travelled by bicycle from his residence to the institute to encourage sustainable transport practices. Bicycle stands are also planned across the campus.
Rampur BJP MLA Akash Saxena said he had shifted to e-rickshaws for his daily travel.
“I purchased three e-rickshaws costing Rs 1.37 lakh each. Their batteries last around nine hours and are charged through solar energy. I took this step following Modiji’s appeal,” Saxena told.
He added that he had reduced his convoy from seven to eight vehicles to just two while travelling within Rampur city.
“My effort will be to include two electric vehicles in the convoy. Even when I travel to Lucknow, I will use only an electric vehicle,” he said.
During a rally in Hyderabad, Modi had urged people to adopt work-from-home arrangements and use public transport to conserve fuel and protect foreign exchange reserves amid the Gulf crisis.