Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda on Monday, 25 May accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of plunging the state into turmoil, citing runaway inflation, acute power shortages, and a deepening water crisis. Speaking to reporters in Rohtak, Hooda argued that the ruling dispensation was directly responsible for the erosion of purchasing power among poor and middle-class families across Haryana.

Fuel Taxes and Price Hikes

Hooda alleged that petrol prices in the state had been raised by ₹7.50 in just 10 days, even as global crude oil prices were trending downward. He attributed the hike to the BJP government doubling the value-added tax (VAT) on fuel. 'The VAT on fuel in the state, which stood at 9 per cent during the Congress government's tenure, has been doubled to 18 per cent by the BJP,' he said. According to Hooda, petrol — priced at ₹70 per litre under the previous Congress regime — has since crossed the ₹100 mark, as has diesel, which was earlier available at ₹50–55 per litre.

LPG Cylinder Costs Spiral

The Leader of Opposition drew particular attention to the escalating cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). He stated that a domestic LPG cylinder, priced at approximately ₹400 during the Congress government's tenure, had surged to ₹1,000. For commercial users, the situation was described as even more severe: the 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder was reportedly hiked by ₹114.50 in March, ₹195.50 in April, and a further ₹991 on 1 May — amounting to a cumulative increase of over ₹1,300. Hooda also noted that the 5-kg small cylinder, commonly used by migrant workers, had become dearer by ₹241, a rise he said was compelling migrant labourers to return to their native villages.

Impact on Farmers and Daily Wage Earners

Hooda argued that rising fuel costs were cascading across the economy, pushing up the price of food items and agricultural inputs alike. 'From food items to agricultural inputs, the cost of living and production is steadily increasing; yet, the minimum support price (MSP) for farmers remains unchanged,' he said. He contended that the BJP government was 'actively burdening the public's pockets during these difficult times,' while savings among ordinary households continued to dwindle.

Power and Water Shortage

Beyond inflation, Hooda flagged an acute shortage of electricity and water in the state, describing Haryana as being in 'turmoil' on multiple fronts simultaneously. He did not provide specific figures on power cuts or water supply deficits, but framed these shortages as compounding the financial strain on residents already battered by inflation.

What Comes Next

Hooda's remarks come as opposition pressure on the BJP-led Haryana government intensifies ahead of the next electoral cycle. Critics argue that without a rollback of fuel taxes or a revision of MSP rates, rural and working-class households will continue to bear a disproportionate burden. The BJP government is yet to formally respond to the specific figures cited by the former Chief Minister.