Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati. File Image | Photo credit: PTI
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) President Mayawati on Saturday (May 16, 2026) called on the Uttar Pradesh government to provide extensive support to families affected by the recent storms and unseasonal heavy rains that have claimed at least 111 lives across the state.
“The State Government should come forward with all its generosity to help the people/families affected by the massive destruction of life and property caused by the recent severe storm in many parts of Uttar Pradesh to gather their shattered/scattered family life and start their lives afresh,” Ms Mayawati said on social media platform X.
The BSP president also criticized the Center for increasing petrol and diesel prices by three rupees per litre, highlighting its detrimental impact on the poor and middle classes. “Along with the continued steady rise in prices of essential commodities, especially petroleum products etc., the central government’s hike in petrol and diesel prices by ₹ 3 per liter will severely affect the lives of millions of poor and hardworking families, farmers as well as the middle class. Inflation will have a direct impact on sustaining the families of all these people. Life is tough,” she said.
At least 111 people were killed after a severe storm accompanied by heavy rain hit several districts of Uttar Pradesh on May 13, uprooting trees and power poles and damaging houses, the state relief commissioner’s office said. Several videos of the storms circulated on social media, showing heavy destruction.
Published – 16 May 2026 22:00 IST
