Sharad Pawar, chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), criticized the Indian government's handling of rising prices, particularly the recent increase in domestic LPG prices by ₹29 per cylinder. This marks the second hike in three months, following a ₹60 increase in March, attributed to global energy supply disruptions. Pawar stated that the government would face a 'political price' for these burdensome hikes, which he claims are causing hardship for the common man. He questioned the government's assertion that inflation is under control, arguing that it translates to ongoing shocks for citizens. Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar echoed these sentiments, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of abandoning its previous concerns about price rises while in opposition. He noted that the BJP's silence on the current price hikes contrasts sharply with their past protests against similar increases during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime. The rising costs of LPG, petrol, diesel, and CNG are severely affecting household budgets, placing additional pressure on middle-class and economically weaker families across India.