War of words intensified in U.P. over power cuts in peak summer

War of words intensified in Uttar Pradesh on Monday (May 26, 2026) over the electricity shortage as opposition parties alleged that public anger is mounting over power cuts, with steps taken by the government insufficient. Responding to the criticism, the government said the State had achieved its highest-ever electricity supply.

“We are continuously witnessing videos and pictures of power cuts leading to trouble for common people. I have been the Energy Minister of Uttar Pradesh. There are two basic issues that the present government failed to handle or analyse, which have led to an electricity crisis. First, the government needs to anticipate and predict the overall demand for electricity during the peak summer season. The second issue is to expand power generation capacity according to the predicted demand. The Energy Department failed in both of these parameters,” said Pramod Tiwari, Deputy Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and a senior MP from the Congress party, to The Hindu.

“If the department failed in measuring the demand, alternate arrangements must be made, but in this also the Energy department failed. There are also issues of corruption which need to be checked,” he added.

Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidhyut Parishad Abhiyanta Sangh, a union of Electricity workers, alleged that the power system of the State is collapsing due to the vertical system and arbitrariness of the power management. 

“The power system of the State is collapsing due to the vertical system and arbitrariness of the top management. The Power Corporation management has arbitrarily implemented the vertical system in many metropolitan cities including the capital Lucknow at the behest of the capitalists, whereas all the employee organizations had already said that the vertical system could derail the power system of the capital, but the energy management did not listen to anyone and this system was forcibly implemented in a dictatorial manner,” alleged the employee Union, in an statement. 

“As soon as this system was implemented, thousands of contract employees were thrown out of their jobs in the capital Lucknow, hundreds of technicians, office assistants and other qualified and trained personnel were suspended without any reason, and arbitrary orders were imposed on the power employees,” the statement added.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) said the government failed to take immediate measures to address the hardships and difficulties faced by the public. 

“In a State with a huge population like Uttar Pradesh, in this season of scorching heat, due to low supply and power cuts life of the poor, middle class, farmers, small businessmen and crores of other hard-working people have become extremely painful, and people are expressing their anger in various forms. The government failed to take immediate measures to address the hardships and difficulties faced by the public regarding electricity supply,” said Ammeque Jamei, a party spokesperson. 

Uttar Pradesh Energy Minister A.K. Sharma said the highest ever electric supply was achieved in the State on May 24.

“Highest ever electric supply in Uttar Pradesh. The State power supply touched an all-time high of 31,804 MW at 22:39 hours last night. Thus, we surpassed our own previous record of 31,486 MW recorded on 11.06.2025. Like previous years, U.P. has left behind all other States of the country. Forgetting the established roster system, only a 1.5-hour average cut was done in rural areas last night. Otherwise, we gave 24 hrs supply everywhere. Electricity workers are devoted and working day and night to solve the local hindrances too. Your kind cooperation is requested,” wrote the Minister on X.