Jaipur, March 27 (NationPress) In response to the challenges faced by ordinary citizens due to a nationwide LPG shortage, which is said to stem from the misguided policies of the Central government, the Congress party organized a significant dharna (sit-in protest) at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur on Thursday.

The demonstration was spearheaded by Govind Singh Dotasra, the president of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC).

During his address to the crowd, Dotasra criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recalling his pre-election promises to tackle inflation, eradicate corruption, create jobs, and enhance India’s foreign policy.

“However, the current reality of our nation calls for serious introspection,” he remarked. He reminisced about Modi's 2014 commitment to liberate women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households from the smoke of traditional cooking methods by supplying LPG cylinders.

“Today, we are confronted with a crisis due to a lack of this essential gas. People are forced to queue for long hours, and industries reliant on cooking gas are struggling,” he stated, accusing BJP officials of offering only empty promises while neglecting the struggles of the populace.

Dotasra further asserted that the Central government lacks a robust foreign policy and has fallen short on critical promises, such as the pledge to double farmers’ incomes.

“The government is merely rebranding programs initiated by previous Congress administrations,” he argued.

He also criticized the handling of demonetization, pointing out that the Prime Minister sought 50 days to eliminate corruption, terrorism, and counterfeit currency, yet none of these goals have been realized.

Touching on the COVID-19 pandemic, he stated that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had forewarned about an impending crisis, but the government failed to adequately prepare. The abrupt nationwide lockdown resulted in significant hardship, with citizens struggling to secure basic necessities.

Dotasra denounced the rising inflation and fuel shortages, indicating that citizens now face long waits for LPG, CNG, petrol, and diesel.

“The escalating cost of gas cylinders is a grave concern for everyday people,” he remarked. He added that while the government talks about visions extending to 2047, it lacks a clear and actionable plan for the immediate future.

He highlighted that during Dr. Manmohan Singh's tenure, India maintained strategic fuel reserves adequate for 73 days, while the current administration has not improved this capacity.

Regarding energy imports, Dotasra noted that the government had previously halted gas imports from Iran due to international pressures and only recently resumed them after shifts in global dynamics. “The government cannot take credit for this development,” he emphasized.

He also mentioned that when Rahul Gandhi requested an all-party meeting in Parliament to address the emergent crisis, BJP leaders initially dismissed these concerns. “Only after the situation escalated and citizens took to the streets did the government finally arrange a meeting,” he contended.

The Congress leader criticized the government's inconsistent and reactive approach to the crisis, which has led to public distress.

Thousands of Congress supporters participated in the rally, including Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully, AICC Secretary and Co-in-charge Ritvik Makwana, AICC In-charge for Madhya Pradesh Harish Chaudhary, Secretary Dheeraj Gurjar, along with Congress MLAs, district presidents, heads of frontal organizations, office-bearers, and former legislators.