Kiren Rijiju Critiques Rahul Gandhi's Remarks on LPG Shortage in Lok Sabha

In a recent session of the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized opposition leader Rahul Gandhi for ignoring a special permission to discuss the LPG shortage. Instead, Gandhi raised unrelated global issues, leading to accusations of disruption during Minister Hardeep Puri's address. Gandhi, in turn, warned of severe implications for India's energy security due to ongoing conflicts in West Asia, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized the foundational role of energy security in national stability and criticized external influences on India's energy decisions. This exchange highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding critical national issues.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 12, 2026, 19:21 IST

Rijiju's Criticism of Rahul Gandhi

On Thursday, Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, criticized Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, for disregarding a special permission granted to address the LPG shortage. Instead of discussing the allocated topic, Gandhi raised a different issue, according to Rijiju. He accused Gandhi of creating a disturbance in the house and disrupting proceedings during Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri's statement.

Details from the Press Conference

During a press conference, Rijiju stated that Rahul Gandhi had been given specific permission to speak. However, upon receiving the floor, he chose to discuss global issues rather than the LPG crisis. Rijiju noted that while Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was addressing the house, Gandhi incited his fellow MPs to create chaos, tearing up papers and causing a disruption that led to the adjournment of the session.

Gandhi's Warnings on Energy Security

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi issued a warning regarding the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which could have dire implications for India's energy security. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he remarked that the pain from these developments was just beginning. He highlighted the far-reaching consequences of the ongoing war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, stating that the conflict in the Middle East has erupted, with significant implications for both global and domestic fronts. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil flows, could lead to severe repercussions, especially for India, as a substantial portion of its oil and gas transit through this route. He emphasized that this was merely the beginning, with restaurants shutting down and widespread panic regarding LPG supplies.

Energy Security as a Foundation for Stability

Gandhi further stressed that energy security is fundamental to the stability of any nation. He criticized the notion of allowing external powers to influence decisions related to India's energy partnerships.