New Delhi, March 16: Political rhetoric has intensified over the alleged shortage of cooking gas cylinders, with the Congress party and other opposition groups sharply criticizing former BJP national president JP Nadda’s recent statements. Nadda had claimed that the shortage was due to Congress leaders hoarding gas cylinders, a statement that has drawn strong rebukes from opposition leaders who label it as baseless and accuse the government of failing to manage the situation.
Senior Congress leader Kumari Selja responded to Nadda’s remarks, asserting that the accusations are entirely unfounded. She questioned how Congress leaders could possibly hoard gas cylinders, emphasizing that the party has consistently raised issues pertinent to the public, including the current Gas Shortage.
Selja highlighted that many people across the country are facing long queues to obtain gas cylinders, a fact that is widely recognized. She stated that it is the opposition’s duty to bring public issues to light, and Congress will continue to advocate for these concerns.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Nasir Hussain also criticized Nadda’s statement, suggesting that it is one of the most absurd claims imaginable. He urged the government to take action if there are indeed hoarders and recommended that authorities conduct raids to identify and seize illegally stored cylinders for distribution to the public. According to him, making such allegations does not resolve the underlying problem.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi questioned the government’s preparedness regarding rising gas prices and the alleged shortage. She noted that headlines today reflect the increasing costs of essential food items, forcing many to revert to traditional cooking methods. Chaturvedi pointed out that permission has been granted to use traditional stoves in Delhi, which had previously been restricted due to air quality concerns.
She criticized the BJP’s double-engine government in several states for the troubling situation regarding gas availability, claiming that the government lacked adequate preparation to address the crisis. Chaturvedi remarked that with prior indications of potential U.S. actions against Iran affecting the international energy market, the government should have made arrangements in advance. She emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the duration of global tensions or potential conflicts, but noted that it is evident that LPG shortages are causing long queues for the public.
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