LPG is lapata gas: Akhilesh Yadav attacks government over Middle East conflict

Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Centre over rising LPG concerns, dubbing the fuel "lapata gas" [missing gas].

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Yadav also taunted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi missed a diplomatic opportunity to halt the ongoing conflict in West Asia by not stopping in Iran during his recent visit to Israel, a move Yadav claimed could have strengthened the Prime Minister's credentials as 'vishwaguru' [world leader].

"The new word for LPG is not liquified petroleum gas but 'lapata-gas'. The prices of petrol, diesel and essential commodities are rising," Yadav said.

"Our Prime Minister had a historic chance to position himself as vishwaguru. Imagine if he had stood between Israel and Iran and firmly declared that he would not allow the two countries to fight. Last month, he visited Israel. He could have also landed in Iran without permission, much like his earlier unannounced visit to another country. Had he taken this step, India would have truly emerged as a vishwaguru," he added.

Akhilesh Yadav's remarks came as tensions in the Middle East disrupt crude oil and petroleum supply following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passage between Iran and Oman.

Despite government assurances that domestic LPG stocks are sufficient and prioritised for essential use, including hospitals and household cooking, shortages and disruptions are being felt across the country.

Two Indian LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday morning and are en route to Gujarat ports: Mundra and Kandla. Together, they carry 92,700 tonnes of LPG, with expected arrivals on March 16 and 17.

Meanwhile, 22 other vessels remain on standby as the government coordinates with regional authorities to secure their passage, according to Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping.

The supply disruption has forced restaurants to adjust operations nationwide. Many eateries, especially in Delhi’s Connaught Place, have trimmed menus, scaled back bookings for large groups, and turned to coal or wood-based cooking to manage the crunch. Hotels and restaurants in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu are adopting similar alternatives to keep businesses running.

Retail disruptions are visible in West Bengal as well, where LPG distribution centres, including those in Kolkata, have seen long queues.

Uttar Pradesh authorities have stepped up enforcement, raiding 1,483 locations and arresting six individuals for black marketing of cooking gas.

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