Senior Congress leaders in Karnataka, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, have criticized the central government for its handling of LPG and fuel supplies, claiming it has led to a significant crisis affecting transport and small businesses. They reported that auto LPG prices have skyrocketed from ₹58-61 per litre in March to between ₹105 and ₹120 within weeks, with some private outlets charging as much as ₹135. The number of operational LPG and CNG outlets in Bengaluru has plummeted from 60-70 to just 10-15, causing daily fuel availability to drop from 12,000 litres to 6,000 litres. This has severely impacted Karnataka's fleet of over 500,000 auto-rickshaws, many of which are now off the roads or facing reduced working hours. Additionally, commercial LPG prices have risen by ₹200, with the cost of a 19-kg cylinder now exceeding ₹2,000. The Congress party has attributed the crisis to the central government's control over LPG supply and has called for immediate action to address the shortages. They expressed concerns over potential black marketing and supply distortions as elections approach.