Sena (UBT) slams Centre over CNG, commercial LPG price rise, calls it 'cruel Diwali gift'

The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday criticised the Centre over the increase in CNG and commercial LPG prices, calling it a "cruel Diwali gift" for ordinary citizens. The party said people were already struggling with high prices and financial hardship.

In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the faction led by Uddhav Thackeray alleged that the government was adding to the financial burden on ordinary households and farmers at a time of drought in Maharashtra. The editorial also questioned the timing of the increase, saying it would upset household budgets during the festival season and raise the cost of goods and services.

The editorial claimed: "Almost the whole of Maharashtra is in the grip of a severe drought. There are no crops in the farmers' fields and ordinary people have no money left in their pockets. People were holding on to their small savings in the hope of bringing a little sweetness into their children's lives at Diwali. But by raising the prices of CNG and commercial LPG, the government has dashed these last hopes." It also asked whether the government's decisions would leave people unable to celebrate the festival at all. "Do those in power want the public not to celebrate Diwali at all this year?" it asked.

The party cited the latest fuel prices in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), saying both household and business costs would rise. The editorial said: "CNG prices in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) have been raised by Rs 1 per kg. This is the sixth increase in the last six months alone. Commercial LPG cylinder prices have been raised by Rs 10." The CNG increase came into effect on November 1, and the new rate in Mumbai and surrounding areas is now Rs 90 per kg.

According to the editorial, costlier commercial LPG could also affect consumers who do not buy commercial cylinders directly. The Shiv Sena (UBT) also questioned why the government kept domestic LPG cylinder prices unchanged while raising commercial ones. The editorial argued that this could raise costs for hotels, restaurants and other food businesses. As a result, eating out, restaurant meals and ready-made Diwali savouries and sweets could become more expensive for customers.

The party also recalled the Rs 1,000 increase in the price of commercial LPG cylinders in May. It alleged that the cut made afterwards gave no real relief for long. The editorial called the latest increase one more blow for consumers already troubled by rising household expenses.

The editorial linked the financial pressure on families to rising food prices, drought and the conflict between Iran and the United States. It said: "Because of the drought conditions and the Iran-US conflict, food inflation has reached a shocking 7.74 per cent. Prices of daily rations, pulses and grain have risen so much that they seem like a luxury. The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) decision to raise the repo rate has pushed interest rates up, increasing the EMIs on all personal loans and home loans."

The food inflation figure of 7.74 per cent is the provisional annual rate for September 2026 released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The Reserve Bank of India raised the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50 per cent in October.

The Thackeray faction also alleged that fuel prices were artificially held down for political gain until the elections in five states were over, and raised afterwards. The editorial alleged: "Until the elections in five states ended, prices of fuel and essential goods were held back for political self-interest. Now the 'horse' of inflation has run out of control. Those in power, who claimed to keep fuel prices under control despite the tension of the Gulf war, have become completely unrestrained on inflation after the elections. On one hand the Prime Minister appeals to citizens to be frugal, and on the other the government builds a system in which the public is left with no money in their pockets."