Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over rising inflation, flagging a steep surge in commercial LPG cylinder prices, including a Rs 993 jump in a single day.
Rahul Gandhi's Allegations on LPG Price Hike
The Congress leader said he had earlier warned that inflationary pressures would rise after the polls, pointing to what he described as a sharp spike in rates. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi stated that the price of a commercial gas cylinder had increased by Rs 993 in a single day, calling it the biggest single-day jump. He further claimed that prices had risen by Rs 1,380 between February and the present period, which he described as an 81% increase over three months.
"I had said it - the heat of inflation would come after the elections. Today, a commercial gas cylinder is Rs 993 more expensive. The biggest increase in a single day. This is the election bill. From February till now: Rs 1,380 increase - a whopping 81% jump in just 3 months," Rahul Gandhi posted.
Impact on Small Businesses and Households
He said the impact will be felt across small businesses like tea stalls, dhabas, hotels, bakeries and sweet shops, and added that household expenses would also be affected. "Tea stall, dhaba, hotel, bakery, sweet shop - the burden on everyone's kitchen has increased. And this will affect your plate too. First strike on gas, next strike on petrol-diesel," he warned.
On Tuesday, he had also alleged that the government would increase petroleum prices after polling phases conclude in several states including West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.
Criticism of Modi Government
Rahul Gandhi went on to sharply criticise the Centre, saying: "Election relief over, inflation's heat is on its way! After April 29th, watch out - petrol, diesel, everything will get expensive. When oil was cheap, the Modi government pocketed the profits. Now that it's expensive, it'll dump the burden on you. A government that loots when it's cheap, leaving the public to bear the brunt of inflation."
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