In an apparent bid to counter the popularity of the BJP’s free ration scheme for the poor during the pandemic, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav said on Monday that if voted to power, his party would provide free ration to the poor for five years.
Addressing election rallies ahead of the sixth phase of polls in Ambedkar Nagar and Basti, Mr Yadav said, “Apart from the free ration, we will provide one litre mustard oil and one kg ghee a month. We have thought it through.” Earlier, he had promised to provide two free LPG cylinders a year to the poor.
In the first five phases, the double dose of free ration from the Central and State governments has emerged as one of the most popular schemes of the ruling party that has found resonance at the grassroots. The scheme that started in March 2020 has been extended till Holi. The Opposition parties have been looking for ways to counter it but have found little success
