New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday raised the LPG crisis arising out of conflict in West Asia and asked why the government did not plan in advance for LPG imports or make alternative arrangements despite being aware of regional tensions. “If the government was aware of regional tensions then why did it not make alternative arrangements? Why was the opposition not taken on board for a coordinated response to public concerns.” Why is the government not taking any measures to stop hoarding and black marketing of LPG? This crisis not only exposes our mismanagement but also our weak domestic and foreign policy.”Kharge’s presentation, which lasted more than the 3 minutes given to each member during Zero Hour, drew a sharp reaction from House leader J.P. Nadda, who accused the opposition of creating chaos and indulging in politics over the LPG shortage instead of standing with the government as it manages a situation not of India’s own making but entirely caused by international developments. Reminding Kharge of Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri’s earlier statement in the Lok Sabha on the LPG situation, Nadda reminded that Congress MPs had not even listened to him. Nadda claimed that a Congress leader himself was caught hoarding LPG. Earlier, Kharge said the LPG crisis has created panic across the country, which has adversely impacted restaurants, hostels and commercial establishments besides poor, middle class families. Recalling that India imports LPG to meet 60% of its domestic needs, he said 90% of these imports are through the Strait of Hormuz. “Both availability and price stability of LPG have become a matter of serious concern...MSMEs and commercial users are facing problems in securing LPG refills. It is worrying that some establishments have closed operations while some are paying up to Rs 5000 per cylinder.”Pointing to Puri’s claim that there is no shortage of LPG, Kharge alleged that the ground reality is different. “When India was issuing advisories to its citizens in Iran warning of the deterioration in the situation, it should have also warned of the adverse impact on vital sea lanes and energy supplies. We should have been prepared accordingly. The government was aware of the impending situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, if advance planning and alternative arrangements for LPG imports had been made, we would not have had to face this crisis,” he said.