New Delhi, March 25 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a protest outside the Delhi Assembly on Wednesday, raising concerns about the "increasing shortage" of LPG gas cylinders in the national capital.
Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, distributed pamphlets highlighting the LPG crisis, organized a "padyatra" (procession), and chanted slogans on the issue.
"People are no longer spending money on cylinders because they are buying induction stoves and wood. When cylinders are unavailable, the expenses automatically disappear," Atishi said.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Food and Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told the assembly that there was no shortage of LPG cylinders in the national capital.
"I would like to inform the citizens and the entire House that no rumors regarding LPG distribution in Delhi should be encouraged. With the festive season approaching, I want to assure the entire House that there will be no shortage anywhere, not even for a single day or a single hour," he said.
The department is working with full vigilance to curb black marketing and ensure smooth supply, the minister said.
Delhi BJP criticized the AAP for holding the protest.
"The petty political statements being made by AAP leaders regarding gas cylinder supply are, in a way, comparable to anti-national activities," Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said.
Oil and gas shortages are being seen across three-fourths of the world due to the West Asia conflict, he said.
The central government, through its policy measures, has managed to keep the impact of the shortage very limited, the BJP said in a statement.