Prayagraj, March 15 -- Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Sunday has hit back at Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav over his remarks on the LPG issue, alleging that there are doubts about his "patriotism".

Speaking to reporters here, Yadav said, "I can't call Akhilesh Yadav a traitor to the country, but there are doubts about his patriotism. At a time when the country and the world are facing an energy crisis due to the ongoing war between Iran, the US, and Israel, statements like these are only spreading rumours."

He said the global situation has affected fuel supply and demand, leading to an increase in LPG bookings across the country. "Earlier, daily bookings for 50-55 lakh gas cylinders used to happen...