Chhindwara, April 2 (NationPress) In a surprising turn for the Congress party, senior figure and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Thursday strongly refuted allegations of an LPG shortage in Madhya Pradesh, directly opposing his party’s vocal criticisms of the Central and state governments.

While the Congress has been persistently criticizing both the Central and Madhya Pradesh administrations regarding supposed delays in LPG supply and the difficulties faced by citizens, Kamal Nath dismissed these claims entirely.

Addressing journalists in Chhindwara, where he attended a funeral, the seasoned politician stated: “There is no such shortage. It is merely an atmosphere being fabricated to suggest a shortage.”

He emphasized that there is “no lack of cooking gas” in the state and accused specific groups of intentionally inciting panic for political motives. His remarks align closely with the Central government’s assertion that there is no genuine crisis, merely exaggerated rumors.

Kamal Nath, who also leads the Congress Legislature Party in Madhya Pradesh, indirectly criticized the ruling BJP by implying that such narratives are being propagated to distract the public from pressing governance issues.

Upon his arrival in Chhindwara, Nath mentioned that an “atmosphere” was being created to imply a shortage of fuels in the nation.

“There is no such shortage. It is just an atmosphere being created that there is a shortage,” he reiterated.

Visiting Chhindwara for the ‘Gada Puja’ ceremony during Hanuman Jayanti and to offer condolences to families affected by recent road incidents, he chose not to delve deeper into the LPG issue.

“I have come to express my sympathies to the families impacted by the road tragedy in Chhindwara,” he remarked.

Earlier that day, Kamal Nath, accompanied by his son and former MP Nakul Nath, conducted the ‘Gada Puja’ at his home.

“The Gada Puja was carried out in a serene setting at the residence, devoid of drums or extravagant celebrations. Subsequently, with utmost respect and devotion, the ceremonial mace was sent to the Siddheshwar Hanuman Temple in Simariya,” Nath shared on X.

Commenting on the recent tragic accidents in Chhindwara that resulted in multiple fatalities, he noted that compassion and restraint were at the forefront of this year's observance.

“Given the sorrow surrounding the recent bus accident in Chhindwara, this year's Hanuman Jayanti was marked not by a grand ‘Gada Yatra’, but rather by a ‘Gada Puja’ held in a spirit of peace and simplicity,” he emphasized.

It is noteworthy that Kamal Nath had previously overseen the installation of a 101-foot statue of Lord Hanuman at the Siddheshwar Hanuman Temple in Simariya, situated in his political stronghold of Chhindwara.

His recent comments emerge at a time when reports of delayed LPG deliveries and extensive queues at distribution centers have surfaced from various districts.

Nevertheless, the former Chief Minister maintained that the situation is predominantly normal and urged the public not to be swayed by misinformation. Political analysts perceive Kamal Nath’s statement as a setback for the Congress’s strategy of generating electoral momentum around the alleged LPG crisis, especially in election-sensitive states such as West Bengal, Assam, and Kerala.

Local inhabitants in Chhindwara and surrounding areas have expressed mixed reactions.

While some households noted slight delays in cylinder refills recently, many others reported that supplies generally remain accessible through regular channels.

This development is poised to escalate the political discourse surrounding the availability of essential goods in Madhya Pradesh and place the Congress in a challenging position as it continues to criticize the government on similar grounds across the nation.