Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday, 2 November 2026 launched a sharp attack on the Centre over recent fuel and gas price increases, calling them a 'cruel Diwali gift' to citizens already battling drought and persistent inflation. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party levelled its criticism through an editorial in the party's mouthpiece Saamana, accusing the government of pushing ordinary people and farmers into deeper financial distress.

What the Editorial Said

The Saamana editorial painted a stark picture of conditions on the ground. 'Almost the entire state of Maharashtra is scorched by a severe drought. Farmers have no crops in their fields, and common citizens have no money left in their pockets. People were holding onto their modest savings, hoping to bring a little sweetness into their children's lives during Diwali. However, the government's hike in CNG and Commercial LPG rates has poured cold water over those last remaining hopes,' it stated.

The editorial further asked: 'Do the rulers want the public to refrain from celebrating Diwali altogether this year?'

The Price Increases in Focus

The Thackeray camp detailed the specific burden being placed on households. In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), CNG prices have been raised by Re 1 per kg — the sixth such hike in six months. Commercial LPG cylinder prices have also been increased by ₹10. The party dismissed the government's defence of keeping domestic cylinder prices unchanged, noting that higher commercial gas costs directly inflate the price of restaurant meals, hotel food, and ready-made Diwali snacks and sweets. It also recalled that in May, commercial cylinder prices were raised by ₹1,000, with any subsequent reduction described as 'merely a farce' given that prices are rising again.

Inflation and Economic Strain

The editorial cited compounding pressures beyond fuel. Food inflation, it claimed, has hit a staggering 7.74%, driven by drought conditions and the Iran-America conflict. Prices of daily staples, pulses, and grains have, according to the editorial, 'escalated to the point where they feel like luxury items.' The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to raise the repo rate was also flagged, with the party arguing that higher interest rates have pushed up EMIs on personal loans and mortgages, adding to household cost pressures.

Political Targeting and Allegations of Timing

The sharpest political charge in the editorial centred on alleged electoral timing of price controls. 'Fuel and commodity prices were artificially held back for political self-interest until elections in five states concluded. Now, the 'horse of inflation' has broken loose,' the editorial alleged. It further criticised the Prime Minister for urging citizens to practise austerity 'while the government creates a system that leaves no money in the public's pockets,' according to the piece. This comes amid a broader opposition narrative that the ruling coalition manages economic optics around electoral cycles rather than consumer welfare.

Context and What to Watch

The Shiv Sena (UBT) editorial arrives as Maharashtra heads into a politically charged period, with the state's political landscape still fractured after the Sena split. The criticism over fuel prices echoes a familiar playbook — opposition parties have repeatedly targeted the Centre on petroleum pricing, particularly around festive seasons when household spending peaks. Whether the government responds with a price rollback or holds its position will be watched closely by both markets and voters across the state.