LPG distributors' body says no to strike ahead of Rahul Gandhi's Delhi rally
The Federation of LPG Distributors of India (FLDI) has urged LPG distributors in the capital to continue supply and delivery operations and to ignore calls for protest and an indefinite strike, ahead of the INDIA bloc's rally scheduled for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.
In a statement, the distributors' body said it was in discussions with oil marketing companies (OMCs) and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas over the demands raised by distributors, and had received assurances of an early resolution. The statement, as quoted by news agency ANI, did not spell out the specific demands.
"We urge all fellow distributors to continue with supply and delivery operations, ignoring unverified calls for action, so that no family faces any inconvenience," the federation said.
The FLDI said it did not support the proposed protests or an indefinite strike in Delhi and favoured dialogue instead. "We believe that solutions can be achieved through dialogue and decisive action. Ensuring uninterrupted LPG service to consumers is our top priority. Dialogue with the OMCs and the Ministry is ongoing, and we have been assured of a resolution. Given this, resorting to protests without exhausting all avenues for dialogue is not a practical approach," it said.
The body added that maintaining a regular and safe supply of LPG to consumers remained its primary objective. LPG is the main cooking fuel for a very large share of Indian households, which makes continuity of supply a matter of everyday concern for consumers.
The statement comes amid apprehension among traders' groups about the effect of the November 1 rally on commercial activity in central Delhi during the festive shopping season.
On Saturday, the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) asked Rahul Gandhi, who is to lead the INDIA bloc rally, to postpone the event, claiming it could disrupt business worth about Rs 10,000 crore during the peak Diwali shopping period. CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said traders had already suffered estimated losses of around Rs 3,000 crore in October because of rallies, marches and road closures in Connaught Place, India Gate and parts of central Delhi. These figures are the association's own estimates and have not been independently verified.
The INDIA bloc has said the rally is intended to intensify its campaign against what it describes as "vote chori" — alleged theft of votes — and to press for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over what the opposition alliance alleges are irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The FLDI, for its part, said the concerns of distributors were being heard and that it would pursue a resolution through continued engagement with the OMCs and the Ministry. The federation's appeal to its members to stay away from protests marks a contrast with the strike calls that had raised questions about possible disruption to LPG supply in the days leading up to the rally.
