Opposition MPs protest in Parliament over commercial LPG shortage; Rahul Gandhi targets PM

Several Opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest inside the Parliament House complex on Thursday over the reported shortage of commercial LPG cylinders. The demonstration took place near the Makar Dwar during the second phase of the Budget session, with lawmakers demanding answers from the government regarding the situation.

MPs from parties including the Congress, DMK, TMC and SP participated in the protest and raised slogans against the government over the alleged fuel shortage. Some women MPs also staged a symbolic demonstration by sitting with a mock brick cooking stove while calling for immediate government intervention to address the issue.

Speaking to reporters after the protest, Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the situation. He said the Prime Minister was asking people not to panic over the LPG shortage but was himself “panicked for completely different reasons”.

Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister was concerned about the Epstein files issue and the Adani case in the United States. He also remarked that the Prime Minister’s seat in the House had remained empty, accusing him of avoiding the discussion.

The protest comes amid growing concerns about the availability of commercial LPG cylinders across the country, particularly affecting restaurants and catering businesses. The government has maintained that domestic LPG supply for households remains secure and has urged the public not to panic despite the disruptions.