From praise to potshots, what's behind change in energy minister's tune?

As his office’s post on X alleges vested interests are against him, energy min’s combative pitch raises questions

- Brajendra K Parashar

Amid a confrontation between energy minister AK Sharma and power employees, particularly union leaders, a post on X by his office appears to have escalated matters even as questions are raised about the reasons for the increasingly combative tone at a time when the minister has hit out at strikes and protests called by employee leaders in the power department on the privatisation issue.

The post by the minister’s office on X alleged that vested interests had joined hands against him. There was also a press release by his office to the same effect.

The post, in essence, said that disruptive elements disguised as power employees were targeting Sharma because he did not yield to employees’ union pressure. Despite multiple strikes and personal attacks on him, Sharma has acted with restraint, it said.

“Among those who have taken a supari (contract to harm) against Energy Minister Shri AK. Sharma are some disruptive elements disguised as electricity employees,” the post said.

The post/press-note also defended him against privatisation allegations, clarifying that the decision was made at the state level by a task force, not by Sharma alone. The note accused vested interests of having joined hands together against minister.

“The public and God stand with him in his mission to improve power services,” it said.

“His only intention is to serve the people better, including ensuring improved power supply,” it added. There are murmurs about whether there is something more to Sharma's sudden public outburst over power supply-related issues in the state than meets the eye in the backdrop of the perception that there is growing disillusionment about who really wields power in the department.