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Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Congress leader in Lok Sabha, took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the recent reduction in LPG cylinder prices by ₹200 for all consumers. Chowdhury’s comments came as he questioned the timing and motives behind the decision.
In a statement reported by ANI, Chowdhury remarked, “The Prime Minister and ruling party are experts in pleasing people… With elections scheduled in various states, I want to ask, if the Rajasthan government can provide a cylinder at ₹500, then why can’t you?”
Chowdhury’s remark came on the heels of the government’s announcement to cut LPG cylinder prices by ₹200 and to provide an additional subsidy of ₹200 under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), effectively offering beneficiaries a total subsidy of ₹400.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), emphasized the move’s significance, stating, “The festival of Raksha Bandhan is a day to increase happiness in a family. The reduction in gas prices will increase the comfort of the sisters in my family and make their lives easier. May every sister of mine be happy, be healthy, be happy, this is my wish from God.”
The timing of the decision has raised questions from several opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Aam Aadmi Party, and Trinamool Congress. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav remarked, “This is the pressure… After the second meeting (of the INDIA alliance), they (BJP) have reduced the prices by ₹200… When everything is finalized, then you will see the strength (of the alliance).”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her view on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Till now, only TWO meetings have been held in the past TWO months by the INDIA alliance and today, we see that LPG prices have gone down by ₹200. This is the impact of the INDIA alliance.”
Chowdhury’s criticism reflects a broader sentiment among opposition leaders, who are questioning the timing and motives behind the LPG price reduction, particularly in the context of upcoming state elections and the evolving political landscape.
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