Differing from party's stand over Centre's handling of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath said on Thursday that there is no shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) across the country, adding that the issue is being exaggerated. Nath made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara.
"There is no such shortage. An atmosphere has been created that there is a shortage," Nath, a former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, told reporters in response to a query on reported shortage of LPG in India.
Nath's statements are contrary to what his party has said. The Congress and its leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have been critical over India's handling of the situation in the Middle East where a conflict is underway since February 28. The grand old party has also alleged that there is a shortage of LPG in India, but the government has completely refuted.
The grand old party was also critical over Prime Minister Narendra Modi not condemning Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, pointing out that India always had civilisational relationship with Persia or Iran. It has stated that India should mobilise the Global South to ensure that peace and stability is restored in the Middle East.
"The world cannot remain a mute spectator to the collapse of rule based multilateral order and global crisis management mechanism. India has throughout history commanded respect for its moral authority and commitment to peace. There is much at stake, especially the future of the younger generation," said senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Thursday.
"Besides critical energy supplies of petroleum, LPG-PNG, USD 200 billion of trade, the interest and security of 10 million strong Indian diaspora, also almost 60 per cent FOREX remittances, have to be borne in mind," Sharma added.
India used to import 60 per cent of its LPG consumption before Middle East conflict started on February 28. Out of this, 90 per cent used to pass from the Strait of Hormuz, which has now been blocked by Iran, which has disrupted global oil supplies, causing chaos across the world. However, Iran has mentioned that India should not worry about it.
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