Government misleading people on inflation, fuel shortage: Ashok Gehlot

Ashok Gehlot said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was engrossed in elections during the last three months despite Congress leader Rahul Gandhi having warned that a “storm of inflation” was coming to the country

Published – May 20, 2026 01:58 am IST – JAIPUR

The Hindu Bureau

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday (May 10, 2026) accused the governments at both the Centre and the State of misleading the people on inflation amid the shortage of fuel and the increasing prices of vegetables, fruits, milk and all other essential commodities. Mr. Gehlot said the government was not making efforts to bring the situation under control.

Mr. Gehlot said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was engrossed in elections during the last three months despite Congress leader Rahul Gandhi having warned that a “storm of inflation” was coming to the country. “The Prime Minister himself was spreading illusions that everything was fine. As soon as elections are over, a shortage of petrol and diesel has started, and the fuel prices have increased,” he said.

The veteran Congress leader said both the Central and the State governments were “spreading falsehood” about the price situation. “There is still time for the government to act and clarify the situation before the public… A situation will arise in the near future that no one can imagine,” Mr. Gehlot said.

Mr. Gehlot said in his posts on X that there were reports of fuel shortages at several petrol pumps in the State, while the correct information about the availability of petrol, diesel and LPG was not being given. “Petrol pumps in Jodhpur are supplying petrol and diesel in limited quantities and many outlets have run out of fuel,” he said.

At some places, the LPG cylinders were not being delivered for several days, Mr. Gehlot said, adding that though the government had maintained that there was no fuel shortage, the petrol pump operators had informed about verbal instructions for supplying fuel in limited quantities.

“This is the reason long queues are being seen at petrol pumps,” Mr. Gehlot said. “Unverified information spreads rumours, which confuses the public and creates a situation of chaos,” he said and urged the government to tell the truth so that people could prepare for any inconvenience and make alternative arrangements.

Published – May 20, 2026 01:58 am IST

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