Congress Stages Symbolic Funeral for Gas Cylinders in Jaipur Amid LPG Crisis
In a dramatic display of public frustration, Congress workers in Jaipur staged protests on Friday, taking out a symbolic funeral procession for gas cylinders to highlight the severe LPG shortage gripping the state. The protest, led by city Congress president Sunil Sharma, featured party workers carrying a gas cylinder on a bier while raising slogans such as "Ram naam satya hai, cylinder bolo mast hai," drawing attention to the difficulties faced by residents struggling to secure cooking gas.
Political Leaders Launch Sharp Attacks on BJP Government
Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led state government, accusing the administration of becoming "invisible" as people grapple with long queues and delays in LPG supply. "The institution called the government has completely become 'invisible' in the state. The so-called double-engine government ran out of gas midway, leaving the people of the state stranded," Jully declared during his address on the crisis.
Former minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas joined the criticism, claiming that both gas cylinders and BJP leaders had "gone missing" from the city. To vividly depict the hardships faced by households, protesters cooked food on a traditional wood stove on the streets, symbolizing the regression to older cooking methods due to the shortage.
Widespread Impact on Daily Life and Economy
Khachariyawas further alleged that more than 10,000 auto-rickshaws in Jaipur had ceased operations due to the crisis, severely impacting transportation and livelihoods. He urged the government to allocate additional funds to provide relief to auto drivers and low-income families affected by the LPG shortage.
"The public is being 'rewarded' for bringing the BJP to power," Khachariyawas claimed, arguing that gas cylinders were first made expensive and now people are being asked to depend on kerosene, which is also unavailable. He also criticized rising airline fares and demanded that the government reduce taxes to alleviate the financial burden on citizens.
Growing Public Anger and Statewide Protests
Public anger has been escalating across Rajasthan over the shortage of LPG cylinders and rising prices, with long queues reported outside gas agencies in several districts, including Jaipur. In response, the Congress organized similar protests at district headquarters throughout the state on Friday.
In Jaipur's Chandpole area, party workers raised slogans against the government, took out the symbolic procession, and later burned effigies of both the central and state governments. Sunil Sharma emphasized the government's failure, stating, "The government has completely failed to address the LPG crisis. People are unable to even book cylinders as booking numbers remain constantly busy."
MLAs Rafeek Khan and Amin Kagzi also participated in the protest, alleging widespread black marketing of cylinders that exacerbates the crisis. The protests underscore the deepening political and social tensions as residents and businesses continue to suffer from the ongoing LPG shortage in Rajasthan.
