Mumbai: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday criticised the sharp increase in commercial LPG cylinder prices, alleging that inflationary pressures were set to rise after the elections. Also Read: Big Jump in Commercial LPG Rates: 19-kg Cylinder Now ₹3,071.5 in Delhi.
In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi pointed to the recent ₹993 hike in commercial LPG cylinder prices, calling it the “biggest increase in a single day.” He further claimed that prices have risen by ₹1,380 since February, which he described as an 81 per cent jump over three months.
“I had said it the heat of inflation would come after the elections. Today, a commercial gas cylinder is ₹993 more expensive. This is the election bill,” Gandhi said in his post.
कह दिया था – चुनाव के बाद महंगाई की गर्मी आएगी।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 1, 2026
आज कमर्शियल गैस सिलेंडर ₹993 महंगा। एक ही दिन में सबसे बड़ी बढ़ोतरी। यह चुनावी बिल है।
फरवरी से अब तक: ₹1,380 की बढ़ोतरी – सिर्फ़ 3 महीनों में 81% का इज़ाफ़ा।
चायवाला, ढाबा, होटल, बेकरी, हलवाई – हर किसी की रसोई पर बोझ बढ़ा। और…
He warned that the price hike would directly impact small businesses such as tea stalls, dhabas, hotels, bakeries, and sweet shops, as well as household consumption indirectly. According to him, the increased operational costs for these establishments would eventually be passed on to consumers.
“Tea stall, dhaba, hotel, bakery, sweet shop the burden on everyone’s kitchen has increased. And this will affect your plate too,” he said, adding that further hikes in petrol and diesel prices could follow.
Earlier this week, Gandhi had also alleged that fuel prices could rise after the conclusion of polling in states such as West Bengal, while voting had already ended in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu. He claimed that the government had previously benefited from lower global oil prices but may now pass on the burden of higher costs to citizens.
The comments come amid a broader debate on inflation and fuel pricing, with rising global energy costs putting pressure on domestic markets. While retail petrol and diesel prices have remained unchanged so far, opposition leaders argue that the current stability may not be sustained for long.
The government has not yet officially responded to Gandhi’s latest remarks, but the issue is expected to remain a key point of political contention in the coming days.
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