Lucknow, March 17 (NationPress) Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar took aim at Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday, demanding an explanation for the reported presence of gas cylinders at the homes of several Samajwadi Party leaders, while Yadav accused the government of failing to provide sufficient LPG supply.

Rajbhar's comments followed Yadav's criticism of the central government regarding alleged LPG shortages in parts of the country, where he claimed that citizens were enduring long waits for cooking gas.

In response, Rajbhar challenged Yadav to clarify if there was any shortage of cylinders at his residence, questioning the validity of Yadav's accusations against the government.

Speaking to IANS, Rajbhar stated, "Ask Akhilesh Yadav if he faces a cylinder shortage at his home. If he asserts this, he must clarify if there is a problem at his place. There is no scarcity of gas or LPG anywhere in the country; this is merely an attempt to tarnish the government's image."

He further accused Yadav of displaying hypocrisy, alleging that members of the Samajwadi Party were hoarding substantial numbers of LPG cylinders at their homes while publicly denouncing the government's actions.

Yadav, speaking to reporters outside Parliament on Monday, criticized the government for the reported scarcity of LPG cylinders in various regions. He claimed that this situation forced people to stand in long queues outside gas agencies.

He also remarked that those who once envisioned turning India into a "Vishwaguru" should ensure that citizens do not face such everyday struggles.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that authorities have discovered instances of cylinder hoarding during inspections, with consumers seen waiting outside gas agencies for supplies.

In one operation, an administrative team conducted a raid at a warehouse allegedly associated with an SP leader in the Gosaiganj area, recovering 167 filled gas cylinders. Reports suggest that gas distribution from the agency was halted for nearly five days before the raid.

Officials have also confiscated large quantities of cylinders from the properties of other individuals affiliated with the Samajwadi Party during previous inspections.

Responding to these developments, Rajbhar claimed that the cylinders found during such inspections are often linked to SP leaders. "Wherever inspections are carried out, 50, 250, or even 500 cylinders are being discovered at the residences of Samajwadi Party leaders—not BJP or Congress, but SP leaders. This indicates that the SP is intent on orchestrating a conspiracy to discredit the government," he asserted.

The minister further questioned the motives behind the alleged hoarding and urged the SP leadership to clarify why its members possess such large quantities of cylinders.

"People should inquire of Akhilesh Yadav about what his party leaders are doing with those cylinders. However, this is the nature of the SP—looting, vandalism, and black marketing. They await the optimal moment to exploit the situation," Rajbhar concluded.