Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party over the recent hike in commercial LPG cylinder prices, asserting that the burden falls on the common man's plate rather than just on gas cylinders.
Criticism Over Price Hike
In a statement, Yadav said, 'Not cylinders but people's food gets expensive. Cylinders don't get expensive; the roti-thali does. This is known only by the one who buys and eats it themselves, not by the one who goes and eats at others' places or steals from others' plates.' The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister accused the ruling party of being disconnected from the ground realities faced by ordinary citizens.
Impact on Common People
Yadav highlighted that the increase in commercial LPG prices directly affects the cost of cooking food in households and small eateries, leading to a rise in the overall food bill. He argued that those who do not have to manage kitchen budgets themselves fail to understand the real impact of such hikes.
The commercial LPG cylinder price was increased by Rs 30 per cylinder on April 30, marking the third hike in the past few months. This has led to widespread criticism from opposition parties, who claim it adds to the inflationary pressure on essential commodities.
Political Reactions
The Samajwadi Party chief's remarks come amid a broader political debate over rising prices and economic management. Several opposition leaders have demanded a rollback of the price increase, accusing the central government of ignoring the plight of the poor and middle class.
Yadav's statement also took a dig at the BJP's governance style, implying that the party's leaders are out of touch with everyday struggles. 'Those who eat at others' homes or steal from plates do not understand the pain of a householder,' he added.
The government has defended the price revision, citing global market trends and the need to rationalize subsidies. However, critics argue that the burden of such adjustments should not fall disproportionately on consumers.
