Onions with skyrocketing prices had been "political hot potatoes" bringing down CMs -- What if 'LPG crisis' boomerang in 2026 ??

 The Donald Trump-inflicted 'LPG crisis' could not have come at a worse time for BJP and its leader Narendra Modi. The nation is going into crucial four states Assam, West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the UT of Puducherry.  

Emotional Indians  have on a number of occasions punished the ruling parties (state and central govts in power) when onion prices surged.  

India consumed 33.15 ‌million ⁠metric tons of cooking gas in 2025; with imports accounting for about 60% of demand. 

An estimated 90% of those imports came from the Middle East.

"LPG shortage is taking away from plates the things that matter the most to Bengalis of all stripes: amriti, jilipi, kalojaam, mihidana, sitabhog and other sweets that require high heat over long periods of time to be cooked. 

All of life’s troubles disappear when one eats a delicious, dripping kalojaam at the end of the day. With that gone, the BJP’s chances in Bengal will go too," says Rima Roy in Kolkata.

In India, onions are more than a simple vegetable mixed to add flavour. It is an essential ingredient in almost every Indian dish and delicacies.

We consume an estimated 17-5 millions tonnes of onions a year. India is the second-largest onion grower in the world after China. Onions have brought tears in the eyes of the Neta class earlier on a number of occasions. The BJP leaders remember 1998 when they lost power in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and this also marked 'Congress revival' under Sonia Gandhi for the first time. 

At present Sonia's son Rahul Gandhi is a struggling dynast. He needs miracles to upset Namo-applecart. 

Can LPG cylinders can go the onion way ?  

Crude oil, LPG, LNG supplies disrupted by U.S.-Israeli war

About 333 million Indian households use LPG cylinders  

"LPG ​is an issue of concern," said Sujata Sharma, a joint secretary in the Union Oil ministry, adding the government (plus state administrations across India) are cracking down on black marketing and hoarding of ​LPG cylinders. 

Of course, India's crude oil, LPG, and liquefied natural gas supplies have been disrupted due to global shipping constraints after the U.S.-Israeli ​war with Iran halted traffic especially through the Strait of Hormuz.  

In a country used to food inflation, the BJP leaders think the current spike in prices of LPG cylinders would be routed as routine.

In contrast -- the Congress and other opposition parties such as DMK, CPI-M and Trinamool Congress think otherwise.  

The saffron party leaders have - hence - repeatedly blamed hoarders for the high prices of LPG. They allege while Opposition parties are spreading concocted stories; the hoarders were keeping LPG consignments from reaching the markets to artificially inflate prices. 

The Modi Govt in the centre has taken a number of steps. 

** The centre has asked Coal India, the country's top coal producer, to make coal available to small and medium enterprises and ⁠the hospitality ​sector, including restaurants and hotels. 

Govt says there is "Panic buying".

It also asked refiners to boost LPG production. 

Domestic LPG production has risen by 30% since March 5. 

The government has prioritised ​LPG supplies for households, followed by hospitals and educational institutions, while ​allowing commercial ⁠users to use alternative fuels such as biomass, coal and fuel oil.

It's said the BJP as a party is ever in an election mode. It uses every election as an opportunity to expand its own political footprint. In thus year's fast approaching polls, it aims to capture power in West Bengal and retain Assam grip. It also wants to enhance base in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

How far will Trump-inflicted fresh turmoil impact BJP's poll prospects remains to be seen. 

The polls this year could be like quarter-finals for 2029 general elections where the BJP will be trying to retain for a record fourth consecutive term.  

But the outcome in these states could set the stage for much more fierce assembly polls due in next two years -- including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and also key Hindi speaking-provinces such as MP and Rajasthan and two other southern states Telangana and Karnataka. 

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