CHANDIGARH, 08.04.25-Chandigarh Congress President Mr. Lucky’s remarks criticizing the central government over a minor ₹50 increase in domestic LPG cylinder prices are misleading, hollow, and purely driven by political motives.

Responding to the allegations, BJP Chandigarh State President Shri Jitendra Pal Malhotra said that Congress never cared about the poor during its tenure. Today, when the central government is implementing schemes for the upliftment of the underprivileged, Congress is doing what it does best — criticism and vote-bank politics.

“Mr. Lucky, you may have forgotten, but the people still remember clearly how, during the Congress era, getting a gas cylinder was like chasing a dream for the common man. People had to stand in long queues, seek recommendations from MPs and leaders just to get a connection,” Malhotra said.

He stated that the Modi government spent ₹41,300 crore in 2024–25 alone on LPG subsidies to provide direct relief to the poor. Moreover, the 2025 Union Budget has continued to make generous provisions for the Ujjwala Yojana and direct benefit transfers to ensure uninterrupted assistance to the needy.

“Congress has a long history of making announcements, but delivering nothing to the ground. On the other hand, BJP has delivered what it promised. Under the Ujjwala Yojana, millions of women received gas connections — without bribes or political recommendations,” he added.

Commenting on the ₹50 price increase, Malhotra said the uproar by Congress is nothing but a political stunt. The minor hike has been made in response to global energy market fluctuations, while full subsidy support continues for the economically weaker sections.

He posed a direct question to the Congress party:
“When you were in power, how many households received subsidized or free gas cylinders? How many women were freed from the suffocation of smoke-filled kitchens? Can you answer, Mr. Lucky?”

“The BJP is committed to dignity and accessibility for every poor citizen. Unlike Congress, we don’t believe in exploiting the poor as a vote bank — ‘Antyodaya’ is our mission,” Malhotra emphasized.

He concluded with a powerful message:
“If Congress has even a shred of conscience left, they should apologize to the people — for the years when poor women suffered in smoke while Congress leaders sat in silence. Now that the BJP has brought real change, Congress is simply unable to digest it. That’s their real discomfort.”