New Delhi, March 12 – Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday, raised concerns about the shortages of LPG affecting the hotel industry, in the wake of the West Asia crisis, and claimed that this was the "beginning of a difficult situation" that would only worsen in the coming days.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the issue of "LPG crisis," the Congress MP criticized the Union government for allegedly surrendering to the US administration's dictates and asked how the US President, Donald Trump, could decide "where and from whom India makes its oil purchases."
Rahul Gandhi reiterated his claim that this was the key reason for the petrol and LPG shortages in the country.
These claims were subsequently countered by the Union Petroleum Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, who declared that the country's oil reserves were full and there was no looming crisis.
While speaking on the West Asia crisis, LoP Rahul Gandhi said that the US-Israel and Iran conflict will have far-reaching consequences for everyone, including India, and it has already become evident.
"The central artery through which 20 per cent of global oil flows, the Strait of Hormuz, has been closed. And this is going to have tremendous repercussions, particularly for us (India), because a very large portion of our oil and natural gas comes through the Strait of Hormuz."
"The difficult situation has just started. Restaurants are closing, there is widespread panic about LPG, street vendors are affected, and as I said, this is only the beginning," the LoP added.
Questioning the United States' "interference" in India's petroleum agreements, LoP Rahul Gandhi asked, "how could a third nation decide who we buy oil from, whether we can buy oil from Russia or not, and whether our relationships with different oil suppliers can be decided by us – this is what has been bartered."
He went on to add that this issue has puzzled and perplexed him for long, however, he has now understood it and such "capitulation" is because of India compromising its interests.
"It is a very puzzling fact why a nation the size of India would allow any other nation, or the President of another nation, to give us permission to buy Russian oil and decide who our relationships are with."
"I have figured out the puzzle, and the puzzle is about compromise," the LoP said.
The LoP's mention of Epstein also raised eyebrows among the ruling Treasury benches.
While cornering the Central government on the LPG issue, Rahul Gandhi said that the Union Petroleum Minister has admitted on record that he had relations with Jeffrey Epstein.
This prompted Speaker Om Birla to intervene.
Outside the Parliament, a couple of Bharatiya Janata Party MPs demanded that the Congress MP Rahul Gandhi be penalized for violating parliamentary protocols and raising the Epstein issue despite the latter having no connection with the issue.
