LPG – Nana Patole Accuses Government of Hiding Truth on Gas Shortage
LPG – Congress leader and Maharashtra MLA Nana Patole on Monday alleged that the ruling BJP government was not presenting the complete picture regarding the availability of LPG in the country. Addressing reporters, Patole claimed that recent remarks from the state leadership indicate that there is indeed a shortage of commercial gas cylinders, despite official assurances suggesting otherwise.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Commercial Gas Availability
Patole said statements made by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis suggest that commercial LPG cylinders are currently difficult to obtain. According to him, the acknowledgement that only domestic gas supply is being prioritised indirectly confirms that commercial cylinders are facing supply constraints.
He argued that if commercial cylinders cannot be supplied adequately, it signals a broader problem in the distribution system. Patole further alleged that the government’s repeated claims denying any shortage are misleading the public.
The Congress MLA also questioned the operational disruptions reported by several businesses across the state. He pointed out that a number of hotels and small industrial units have reportedly slowed or halted operations due to difficulties in securing commercial gas cylinders.
Issue Expected to be Raised in Legislative Assembly
Patole stated that he intends to raise the matter during the ongoing session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He said the government should provide a transparent explanation about the status of LPG supply instead of dismissing concerns raised by businesses and opposition leaders.
He also urged authorities not to repeat what he described as the lack of transparency seen during earlier crises. According to Patole, the administration should openly clarify the situation to prevent confusion among citizens and industries dependent on LPG.
Government Maintains LPG Supply Remains Stable
Meanwhile, the central government has rejected claims of any nationwide shortage of LPG cylinders. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said that LPG distributors across the country have not reported any dry-out situations.
The ministry added that data from recent bookings suggests a slight decline in demand. Around 7.7 million LPG bookings were recorded on Sunday compared with approximately 8.88 million bookings logged on March 13, 2026.
Officials also stated that commercial LPG cylinders have been allocated to state governments to ensure priority distribution where required. According to the ministry, commercial cylinders are currently available to consumers across 30 states and union territories.
By-Elections Announced for Two Maharashtra Constituencies
During the same media interaction, Patole also commented on the upcoming by-elections in Maharashtra’s Rahuri and Baramati Assembly constituencies. He said the Congress party has not yet finalised its strategy and will take a decision soon after internal discussions.
The two seats became vacant following the deaths of Rahuri MLA Shivaji Bhanudas Kardile and Baramati MLA Ajit Anantrao Pawar. The Election Commission has scheduled polling for these by-elections on April 23.
Assembly Poll Schedule Declared in Four States
The Election Commission of India has also announced the timetable for Assembly elections in several states along with the Union Territory of Puducherry.
According to the official schedule, West Bengal will conduct voting in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Kerala and Assam will hold their elections in a single phase on April 9. Tamil Nadu will vote on April 23, while Puducherry will also go to the polls on April 9. Counting of votes for all these regions is scheduled for May 4.
Congress Questions Electoral Roll Revision
Separately, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticised the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls carried out in poll-bound states. He alleged that the exercise could negatively impact opposition voters.
Wadettiwar claimed the process may be used to alter voter lists ahead of elections. He also expressed confidence that the BJP would struggle to secure victories in states such as Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Government authorities and the Election Commission have not responded to these allegations at the time of reporting.