Row turns political as unions split over energy minister's role

In two back-to-back press releases, unions term protest “pre- planned political conspiracy”

- Brajendra K Parashar

Amid rising tension over the privatisation push in Uttar Pradesh’s power sector, two employee unions have backed state energy minister AK Sharma and accused the Vidyut Karmachari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti of launching a politically motivated agitation to harm the minister's image and benefit certain senior leaders.

In two back-to-back press releases, one on Monday and the second on Tuesday, the unions termed the ongoing protest a “pre-planned political conspiracy” and distanced themselves from it.

Notably, the statements were released by the minister's office and not directly by the unions.