It appears that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sounded the poll bugle for 2024 elections by announcing a cut in the LPG cylinders price. The announcement was made in the form of LPG subsidy gift to “crores of his sisters on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan” keeping in mind the timing of the Lok Sabha elections that are due in April-May next year. However, in view of the cut, it may not be surprising if the NDA government prepone the dates and hold it in December this year as no party in power would want soaring inflation to be a talking point among voters.
There has been a frequent increase in fuel price under the NDA government even as the crude prices have been falling significantly and the government has been unable to pass the discounted rate to consumers. This approach of fleecing people can be seen in the case of petrol and diesel prices. Like LPG, the government should also consider giving sop to petrol and diesel users. While it is true the inflated price adds to the Central and State governments coffers, it makes the lives of ordinary people more difficult. How far would it benefit the BJP in this year’s Assembly polls and next year’s General Election remains to be seen? In any case, easing the financial burden on citizens should not be a seasonal affair with an eye on their votes.
