Amaravati

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Y. S. Sharmila on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the recent increase in commercial LPG prices, alleging that the government seeks public support during elections but shifts financial burdens onto citizens once polling is over.

Responding to the Centre’s decision to raise the price of commercial cooking gas cylinders by nearly Rs 1,000, Sharmila claimed the move amounted to an unwelcome post-election burden on the public. In a statement, she alleged that despite benefiting when global crude oil prices were lower, the government was now citing international market conditions to justify steep fuel price revisions.

She further claimed that, along with the Rs 993 increase in commercial LPG cylinder rates, the price of five-kg mini gas cylinders had also been raised by Rs 549. According to her, repeated revisions during 2026 had pushed commercial LPG prices up by nearly 80 per cent, taking the cost of a cylinder to Rs 3,251.

Sharmila said the increase would eventually impact ordinary consumers, warning that eateries, tea stalls, small hotels, migrant workers, students and small business operators would bear the brunt of the higher fuel costs.

READ MORE: Naghma Sahar showed the calmer, sensitive side of Television news anchoring

There was no immediate response from the Bharatiya Janata Party on her remarks.