The Maharashtra Congress on Friday launched statewide protests against the increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices and the ensuing gas shortage. The protests were led by Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshwardhan Sapkal in Trimbakeshwar.
Sapkal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre of pushing common citizens into the “deep pit of inflation” by raising LPG prices by Rs 60 per kg. He demanded that the hike be rolled back immediately and called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold discussions with all stakeholders and make a statement in Parliament regarding LPG policies.
Addressing the media in Trimbakeshwar, Sapkal said, “While gas cylinders are disappearing from homes across the country, the Prime Minister is absent from Parliament. Narendra Modi has surrendered before (US President) Donald Trump, and the common people are paying the heavy price. With domestic cylinders unavailable and commercial cylinders scarce, small businesses, hotels, and eateries are being forced to shut down. The BJP-led government is handing out Rs 1,500 to select beneficiaries, while ordinary citizens are bearing the brunt of rising LPG prices.”
LPG shortage: Similar protests held across Thane, Panvel, and Palghar
The protest in Trimbakeshwar saw large participation from Congress leaders and workers, including MPCC vice-presidents Rajaram Pangavhane and Sharad Aher, state general secretary Brij Datt, spokespersons Sandeep Patil and Prakash Sonawane, Nashik Shabhayahar District Congress Committee chief Akash Chhajed, Nashik North District President Ramesh Khandal, Nashik South District President Bharat Takekar, and other officials.
During the demonstrations, Sapkal visited the office of a gas distributor, interacted with women queuing for cylinders, and gathered their views on the gas shortage. According to the Congress, many women expressed frustration over the hike.
The Congress held similar protests across Nagpur, Pune, Thane, Wardha, Buldhana, Gondia, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan-Dombivali, Dharashiv, Chandrapur, and Panvel, highlighting public anger over rising LPG prices and shortages.