The Aam Aadmi Party staged widespread protests across Punjab following a steep increase of nearly ₹1,000 in the price of commercial LPG cylinders, describing the move as anti-people and a major burden on households and small businesses already grappling with inflation.
Party workers and leaders organised demonstrations in multiple districts, holding rallies, raising slogans, and staging sit-ins to oppose the decision. The protests were positioned as a response to what the party called a policy that would further strain the finances of ordinary citizens and local businesses dependent on commercial gas for daily operations.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema criticised the Centre sharply, stating that the price hike exposed the government’s priorities and imposed an additional financial burden on the public. He emphasised that the increase would directly impact not just commercial establishments but also consumers, as higher operational costs could translate into rising prices of goods and services.
The AAP’s Punjab unit also issued statements accusing the central government of ignoring the economic pressures faced by citizens and prioritising revenue over relief. Demonstrations were reported in several locations, including Malerkotla, with participation from party leaders and supporters.
The protests have intensified the ongoing political confrontation between AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with the ruling party in Punjab framing the LPG price hike as part of a broader pattern of rising costs affecting the public.
