Mathura, July 19, 2025 – Uttar Pradesh’s Energy and Urban Development Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma on Saturday took a sharp jibe at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over his recent announcement of free electricity for up to 125 units ahead of the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections.
While speaking to reporters in Mathura, Mr. Sharma sarcastically commented:
“Electricity is free in Bihar but it will be free only when it will be supplied… na bijli ayegi na bill ayega… free ho gayi. Hum bijli de rhe hain (Neither electricity will come nor will the bill come… it is free. We are providing electricity).”
This remark, clearly aimed at Bihar’s power supply record, stirred immediate political reactions.
Reacting strongly, the Janata Dal (United) — a major ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar — dismissed Mr. Sharma’s comment, calling it uninformed and detached from reality. JD(U)’s Chief Spokesperson and Bihar Legislative Council member Neeraj Kumar stated:
“It seems the U.P. Minister is not aware of ground reality. In Bihar, electricity is available for more than 22 hours a day to common people. It was our leader Nitish Kumar who once said, if we fail to provide electricity, do not vote for us. Such irresponsible statements show the Minister lacks knowledge. He should visit the border villages of U.P. and Bihar to witness Bihar’s development firsthand.”
Also Read.
Not the First Controversy
This isn’t the first time Mr. Sharma has sparked outrage. On July 10, during a visit to Sultanpur, locals complained about power outages. Instead of responding, the Minister began chanting “Jai Shri Ram, Jai Bajrang Bali”, folded his hands, and left in his car — an incident that also drew criticism.
Nitish Kumar’s Announcement
Earlier this month, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar officially announced on social media that:
“From August 1, 2025 — starting with the July billing cycle — all domestic consumers in Bihar will receive up to 125 units of electricity free of cost.”
He added that from the beginning, his government has been working to ensure affordable electricity for every household.
As Bihar prepares for crucial state assembly elections, the free electricity scheme has emerged as a key poll issue — and the political voltage around it continues to rise.