Chhindwara, April 2: In an embarrassing development for the Indian National Congress, senior leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Thursday dismissed claims of an LPG shortage in the state, contradicting his party’s ongoing campaign against the Centre and the state government.
Speaking to reporters in Chhindwara during a visit to attend a funeral, Kamal Nath asserted that there is no shortage of cooking gas and described the issue as exaggerated. “There is no such shortage. It is just an atmosphere being created that there is a shortage,” he said, downplaying concerns raised by his own party leaders over alleged delays in LPG supply.
The Congress has been actively targeting both the Central government and the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government over reported hardships faced by consumers due to delayed deliveries and long queues at distribution centres. However, Nath’s remarks appear to align more closely with the government’s position that there is no real crisis, but rather misinformation being circulated.
Without naming any specific group, Nath suggested that narratives around shortages were being deliberately amplified for political purposes. At the same time, he indirectly criticised the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, hinting that such issues might be used to divert attention from governance concerns.
Earlier in the day, Kamal Nath, accompanied by his son and former MP Nakul Nath, performed ‘Gada Puja’ at his residence on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. The ceremony was held in a subdued manner, without the usual public procession, in view of recent road accidents in Chhindwara that claimed multiple lives.
Nath said the ritual was conducted with simplicity and devotion, and the ceremonial mace was later sent to the Siddheshwar Hanuman Temple in Simariya. He also met families affected by the recent tragedies and expressed condolences.
Despite Nath’s reassurances, reports of minor delays in LPG cylinder deliveries have surfaced from some districts, drawing mixed reactions from residents. While some households reported inconvenience, others said supplies remain largely stable.
Political observers believe Nath’s statement could weaken the Congress’s strategy of highlighting an LPG crisis, especially in poll-bound states, and may intensify the political debate over essential commodity availability in Madhya Pradesh.
