Parliament Budget Session 2026: Opposition MPs protest over shortage of commercial LPG cylinders
LoP Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha, LoP in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress MP KC Venugopal, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Dharmendra Yadav and others staged a protest in the Parliament building over ‘LPG shortage’ during the second part of the Budget session in New Delhi on Thursday, March 12, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI
A large number of opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest at the Parliament House complex on Thursday, March 12, 2026, over the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders to demand a response from the government in this regard.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (March 12, 2026) attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over concerns about the reported LPG shortage, saying that the Prime Minister asked people not to panic but he panicked for “completely different reasons”.
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Mr Gandhi claimed PM was panicked over Epstein files issue and Adani Case in US
Speaking to reporters after the protest, Mr Gandhi said: “The Prime Minister says there is no need to panic, but the Prime Minister is panicking for completely different reasons… He is panicking because of Epstein, he is panicking because of the Adani case, he cannot enter Parliament.” “Yesterday you saw that the Prime Minister’s chair was vacant. So he is telling the country not to panic, but he is also panicking,” Mr Gandhi added.
A large number of opposition MPs from Congress, DMK, TMC and SP staged a protest near Makar Dwar in the Assembly, shouting slogans like ‘Naam Narender, Kaam Surrender’ and ‘Modi ji, LPG’.
Female opposition MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi, sat in front of a brick-made cooking stove and chanted slogans against the government.
The opposition demands a full-fledged debate on the situation in West Asia and its impact on India.
Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, appealed to people not to panic and assured them that public interest will be protected. He expressed confidence in tackling the LPG crisis, where inadequate commercial LPG supply has disrupted the country’s hotel sector.
As shortages of commercial LPG cylinders begin to disrupt kitchens amid a widening conflict in West Asia, restaurants, street food vendors and catering establishments across the country are scrambling to find alternatives, from induction cooktops to microwave ovens to firewood and solar power options.
With the government prioritizing home cooking gas supplies as war disrupts global fuel lifelines, commercial LPG-dependent businesses from small eateries to high-end restaurants are watching the situation with concern, with some even anticipating possible closure in the coming days.
In the national capital Delhi, erratic LPG supply is negatively impacting kitchens in the city, with many restaurants going out of stock for a day or two due to fear of temporary closures and concerns over staff wages. Industry representatives say many restaurants in the capital are trying to manage the situation through adjustments.
Amid growing concerns, the government and oil companies have tried to reassure the public that domestic LPG cylinders remain safe.
It was published – 12 March 2026 11:57 IST
