Why aren’t BJP leaders now taking to the streets to protest with pressure cylinders?: Congress’s dig at LPG price hike

Image is for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: The Hindu

New Delhi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday (Jun 07, 2026) demanded to know why the government, despite its “big claims” of diversifying fuel sources in 41 countries in response to the conflict in West Asia, made yet another hike in LPG cylinder prices.

In a post on X, Mr Kharge said: “Mr Modiji made big claims in Parliament about diversifying fuel sources in 41 countries in response to conflict in West Asia. What has become of it?”

According to him, there is still a shortage of LPG cylinders in rural areas. Citing statistics of the government’s Ujjwala scheme, through which it distributes LPG connections to rural households, Mr. Kharge said that 5.56 lakh families under the scheme did not get a single top-up (or just one) during 2025-26. Of these, 3.30 million families did not opt ​​for filling in one cylinder.

He said, “This situation precedes the crisis in West Asia. Is it not the result of the profiteering of the Modi government?” Rising domestic LPG prices, Mr. Kharge said, threaten to disrupt the kitchens of common people. In the last four months alone, the price has increased by ₹89.

“Mr. Modi ji and BJP leaders often shouted about inflation during the UPA era. Isn’t it true that the Modi government has increased domestic LPG prices by ₹ 530 in the last 12 years? Why aren’t BJP leaders hitting the streets with LPG cylinders now?” he asked.

Published – 07 June 2026 13:30 IST