UP Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma Faces Power Cut Mid-Speech, Forced to Address in the Dark

Mau, Uttar Pradesh – In a rather ironic and embarrassing turn of events, Uttar Pradesh’s Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma found himself addressing a gathering in complete darkness due to an unexpected power outage in his hometown, Mau. The incident, which unfolded during a three-day event commemorating eight years of the BJP government in the state, left both the minister and attendees in an awkward situation.

A Speech Under Mobile Flashlights

Arvind Kumar Sharma, who had been invited to a felicitation ceremony at Hanuman Ghat, was mid-way through his address when the lights suddenly went out. The minister, along with hundreds of attendees, had no choice but to continue under the dim glow of mobile phone flashlights held up by supporters.

The situation took a humorous yet concerning turn when, post-event, the minister struggled to locate his footwear due to the persistent darkness. The irony of the state’s Energy Minister facing such a situation was not lost on the audience, with many voicing their frustration over the inefficiency of the local power department.

Swift Action Against Officials

Following the incident, the energy department swung into action. Authorities swiftly took disciplinary measures, suspending two officials—Sub-Divisional Officer Prakash Singh and Junior Engineer OP Khushwaha. Additionally, Superintendent Engineer Sanjay Vaish was asked for an explanation, while Executive Engineer Bhuvanraj Singh was issued a charge sheet.

The power failure, which lasted for hours on Bandh Road—one of Mau’s busiest areas—sparked outrage among BJP workers and locals. Many alleged that the outage might have been a deliberate act to tarnish the minister’s image.

Political Backlash and Public Outrage

The incident led to widespread criticism from the public, with social media buzzing over the irony of an energy minister left powerless, quite literally. Some BJP workers accused local authorities of intentional sabotage, while opposition leaders took jabs at the government’s claims of power reforms in Uttar Pradesh.

Despite the hiccup, the event continued as scheduled, with participation from other prominent ministers, including Girish Chandra Yadav and Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar. However, the power fiasco remained the highlight of the event, overshadowing the intended celebrations.

As the UP government continues its drive to improve power infrastructure in the state, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the ground realities. Whether it was an unfortunate technical failure or an orchestrated mishap, one thing is certain—this power cut has left a lasting impression, both on the minister and the public.