Rahul Gandhi Slams Modi Government’s Handling of LPG Crisis, Cites COVID-19 Parallels
On Monday, April 6, 2026, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, launched a sharp critique of the central government’s management of the ongoing LPG gas crisis. Gandhi alleges that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to the energy shortage mirrors the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming it is characterized by a lack of substantive policy and a reliance on grand pronouncements.
The Comparison: LPG Crisis vs. COVID-19 Response
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi asserted that the government has handled the LPG crisis “precisely like COVID.” He argued that the current strategy is “devoid of policy, full of grand announcements, and placing the entire burden upon the poor.” Gandhi questioned why the most vulnerable populations are consistently the first to suffer during national crises and urged the public not to remain silent.
Impact on Daily Wage Earners and Migrant Laborers
The crisis has created significant hardships for the working class, particularly migrant laborers. Gandhi highlighted that for those earning a daily wage of ₹500-800, cooking gas has grow completely unaffordable. He described a dire situation where laborers returning home at night lack the funds to light their stoves, forcing many to abandon cities and flee back to their home villages.
Economic Fallout: Textile and Manufacturing Sectors
Beyond the immediate impact on households, the LPG crisis is reportedly crippling key industrial sectors. Gandhi stated that the textile sector is currently “in the ICU” and the manufacturing sector is “gasping for breath.” He attributed the origin of this crisis to a “diplomatic blunder” committed at the negotiating table, which he claims the government refuses to acknowledge.
Current Energy Reserves and Government Measures
While the opposition critiques the policy, data indicates a tight window for energy security. The Centre has reported that India currently holds oil reserves for 60 days and LPG reserves for one month. In an effort to ease the pressure on LPG supplies, the Centre has implemented a 60-day emergency measure to allocate PDS kerosene to States and Union Territories.
Key Takeaways from the LPG Crisis Allegations
- Policy Critique: Rahul Gandhi claims the government’s response is “policy-zero” and mimics the failures of the COVID-19 pandemic management.
- Human Cost: Migrant laborers earning ₹500-800 per day are finding cooking gas unaffordable, leading to reverse migration from cities to villages.
- Industrial Strain: The manufacturing and textile sectors are facing severe distress due to the crisis.
- Supply Status: India’s LPG reserves are currently estimated at one month, while oil reserves stand at 60 days.
- Emergency Action: PDS kerosene has been allocated to States and UTs as a temporary measure to reduce LPG demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the LPG crisis being compared to COVID-19?
Rahul Gandhi argues that both situations were handled with “grand announcements” rather than concrete policies, ultimately shifting the burden of the crisis onto the poor.
How is the LPG crisis affecting the industrial sector?
According to the Leader of the Opposition, the crisis is severely impacting the manufacturing sector and has left the textile sector in a critical state, which he describes as being “in the ICU.”
What emergency measures has the government taken?
The government has allocated PDS kerosene to States and Union Territories as a 60-day emergency measure to alleviate the pressure on LPG supplies.
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