Ludhaina, May 3: The Aam Aadmi Party’s trade wing organized a large-scale demonstration at Ludhiana’s Clock Tower on Saturday to protest a sharp increase in commercial LPG cylinder prices. Party leaders and volunteers gathered to express their opposition to the central government’s latest fiscal adjustments, which they described as a severe blow to the common man and the local hospitality sector.
The protest followed the announcement that the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder has jumped by ₹993. This marks the third consecutive monthly increase, largely driven by energy supply disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis. In total, the cost of commercial gas has surged by ₹1303 since March.
“The BJP-led central government has proven to be helpless for the common man and guilty for the kitchen,” AAP leaders stated in a joint address. They maintained that the administration should have formulated a plan to mitigate the impact of the Iran-Israel war instead of passing the financial burden directly to citizens.
The demonstration saw participation from MLAs Ashok Parashar Pappi and Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, alongside various district officials and hundreds of volunteers. Participants noted that while domestic gas prices remained stable this month, the previous ₹60 increase in March continues to strain household budgets.
“The central government only cares about the suffering faced by common Indians during elections and then leaves them to their fate,” asserted the party leaders. They stated that the latest hike will disproportionately affect small businesses, hotels, and restaurants that depend heavily on commercial cylinders.
