New Delhi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday (June 7, 2026) demanded to know why the government, despite its “grand claims” of diversifying fuel sources across 41 countries in response to the West Asia conflict, carried out one more hike in the price of LPG cylinders.

In a post on X, Mr. Kharge said, “Mr. Modi ji had made grand claims in Parliament about diversifying fuel sources across 41 countries in response to the West Asia conflict. What became of that?”

He said that the shortage of LPG cylinders persists in rural areas. Citing statistics of the government’s Ujjwala scheme, through which it distributes LPG connections to rural households, Mr. Kharge said, 5.56 crore families enlisted under the programme did not get even a single refill (or got only one) during 2025-26. Of these, 3.30 crore families did not opt for a single cylinder refill.

He said, “This situation predates the West Asia crisis. Is this not the result of the Modi Government’s profiteering?” The soaring domestic LPG prices, Mr. Kharge said, threaten to disrupt the kitchens of common people. In the last four months alone, the price has gone up by ₹89. 

“Mr. Modi ji and BJP leaders used to raise a hue and cry about inflation during the UPA era. Is it not true that the Modi Government has increased domestic LPG prices by ₹530 over the last 12 years? Why aren’t BJP leaders taking to the streets with LPG cylinders in protest now?” he asked.