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Mallikarjun Kharge at ABP ‘Shikhar Sammelan’: BJP repeats lies until they are believed as truth
Mumbai: Congress leader and leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge candidly addressed critical issues and priorities facing the nation in an insightful session at the ABP ‘Shikhar Sammelan’. Speaking about Bharatiya Janata Party, Mallikarjun Kharge said, “BJP repeats lies until they are believed as truth. Many promises like two crore jobs, 15 lakh rupees, double MSP for farmers, and increased scholarships for students remain unfulfilled. Modi ji is a marketing genius, focusing solely on infrastructure while ignoring unemployment. We must check ground realities, not just believe TV ads.”
“Congress is not in the habit of telling lies. In India, where there was no power to produce a needle, we made rockets here. We fought with Pakistan, and liberated Bangladesh,” he added.
Kharge on BJP’s accusations of corruption and nepotism in Congress, commented, “BJP cleans its image using a ‘washing machine’ when caught in scandals. After 1989, no family members from the Gandhi family has become prime minister, chief minister, or held significant positions. BJP’s attacks a family that sacrificed their lives for the country. Youngsters don’t know why Indira Gandhi was killed. They just know what Modi is saying and believe that. The Congress party built India’s foundations; BJP just advertises on clean sheets.”
Reflecting upon Congress’ handling of election pressure, Kharge said, “If faced with unlawful actions, we must resist to protect fundamental rights and democracy. BJP leaders like Nirmala Sitharaman (minister of finance of India) claim financial shortages despite massive donations. They target the opposition with penalties, locking our accounts, and creating an unfair playing field. Modi ji’s priorities seem to be misplaced, focusing on trivial matters while ignoring serious issues like law and order problems in Manipur. BJP benefits most from electoral bonds and misuses institutions like ED and CBI. Their actions resemble deception rather than governance.”
Speaking about why many leaders from the opposition and Congress are joining the BJP, he said, “Some leaders leave despite getting what they want, showing they lack ideological commitment. Our focus is on uniting and strengthening India, regardless of the number of supporters.”
Speaking about the chances of the INDIA alliance winning the next election, Kharge said, “We acknowledge challenges in alliance management but emphasise unity for democracy’s sake. We are determined to win the necessary seats to defeat BJP’s dominance. We highlight BJP’s failures compared to our contributions post-independence. BJP’s promises like job creation and increased income for farmers remain unfulfilled, while they suppress dissent and focus on fear tactics. Our alliance prioritizes democracy, constitution, and citizens’ rights over personal ambitions. We aim to eradicate BJP’s ideology for a better India.”
The ‘Shikhar Sammelan’ crystallised ABP News’ unwavering commitment to invigorating democratic dialogue and fostering an informed electorate poised to shape the nation’s destiny. As the herald of democracy reverberates across the land, ABP News remains steadfast in its mission to illuminate the path forward, emboldening citizens with the power of knowledge and civic engagement.
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Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
