BJP leader blames Trump policies for road delay, alcohol rise

BJP Maharashtra vice-president Sujay Vikhe-Patil on Sunday blamed US President Donald Trump's shifting war tactics for an increase in alcohol consumption in India and a delay in road construction. Speaking in Ahilyanagar, Vikhe-Patil said Trump's frequent changes on war and missile attacks are creating confusion that has led to higher alcohol intake by some people.

Vikhe-Patil also linked the delay in the Ahilyanagar-Manmad Road project to disruptions in crude oil supplies caused by US attacks on Iran. He argued that the crude oil supply chain issues affected the availability of bitumen, a petroleum derivative needed for road construction. Hindustan Times and NDTV both reported his remarks, which he made while discussing reasons for the highway delay.

The former MP claimed crude oil is processed to produce various petroleum products and the by-products are used in bitumen manufacture. His comments come as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to impact global oil supplies.