JOIN USCongress leaders were not alone in demanding raising the cap on subsidised LPG cylinders at Friday’s “Samvad Baithak” of the party at Surajkund in Haryana, fearing that it may derail their electoral plans.
Hundreds of miles away a similar demand was being made by the electorate before none other than Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Amethi and Raebareli.
As the Gandhis felt that the issue might singe them in the forthcoming general election, the assurances came quickly, raising hopes of an increase in the number of subsidised LPG cylinders in the days to come.
The issue of capping the number of subsidised LPG cylinders has emerged as the single biggest factor fuelling resentment against the Congress in Amethi and Raebareli, the parliamentary constituencies of Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi respectively, putting other problems on the back burner.
During their recent visit to Raebareli and Amethi, Rahul and his sister, Priyanka Gandhi, experienced the prevailing resentment among the electorate on this issue.
Upset and angry
“There is resentment in almost every household. Even the diehard Congress supporters are not happy. The issue may singe the party in the next general election,” said a Congress worker from Raebareli. “At many places, the people requested Priyanka to convince the government to raise the cap on subsidised cylinders to at least 12,” he added.
“Wherever Priyanka went, she was apprised of the problems being faced by the common people as a result of the decision to cap the subsidised cylinders,” he said. Priyanka reportedly assured the people that she would take up the matter with the Congress high command.
Even Rahul Gandhi was told at many places that the LPG issue could become a “big problem” for the party in the next general election. Rahul, too, assured the people that he would do something in this regard.
“The issues of corruption and FDI in retail trade are not that important for the common people in rural areas.. The LPG is a sensitive issue,” said another Congress worker from the area. The entire Nehru-Gandhi family had descended on Amethi and Raebareli a few days ago apparently to make an assessment of the ground realities and take corrective measures to strengthen the party organisation in the two constituencies. The Congress could secure only 29 seats in the recent Assembly elections . The party had to face a humiliating defeat in Raebareli and Amethi. The party won only one Assembly seat in Amethi and none in Raebareli.