Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi has stated that fuel distribution in India remains stable amid rising gas prices, which he attributed to the global situation, including a rise in international crude prices.
Speaking to the media in Chitradurga, Karnataka, Joshi highlighted that price differences were partly due to state-level taxation. “The state government has increased the price of petrol and diesel in Karnataka three times. Why did it do this?” he asked.
He also noted that global energy supply disruptions resulting from conflict in West Asia have affected supply.
Joshi mentioned an upcoming felicitation event for former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on May 9 to honour his contributions to strengthening the BJP in South India.
The minister expressed confidence in the BJP's performance in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, where votes will be counted on Monday.
Meanwhile, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko criticised the recent increase in commercial LPG cylinder prices by Rs 993. He pointed out that the price of a 19 kg commercial cooking gas cylinder rose by Rs 144 in March and Rs 203 in April, with the latest increase on May 1 setting the price at Rs 3,239.
Vaiko condemned the sharp increase, describing it as “highly condemnable,” and said disruptions in cooking gas supply over the past two months have severely affected restaurants and caused food prices to rise drastically. He warned that the price rise would severely impact the general public and called for its withdrawal.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised the gas price hike, linking it to rising domestic inflationary pressures post-elections. On the social media platform X, Gandhi wrote: “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.”
He added that the price hike would affect small businesses such as tea stalls, dhabas, hotels, bakeries, and sweet shops, along with increasing household expenses. Gandhi also warned of potential further increases in petrol and diesel prices following the gas price rise.