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| TMC MP Kirti Azad |
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TMC MP Kirti Azad’s explosive speech in Lok Sabha sparked controversy as he mocked the government’s scientific claims, dragged the Epstein Files into Parliament, and warned of a conspiracy from Venezuela to Iran. Read the full analysis of the budget session uproar.
The atmosphere in the Lok Sabha during the recent Budget session has been nothing short of volcanic. As the Treasury benches attempted to highlight India’s economic growth, the Opposition launched a multi-pronged attack on the government over rising inflation, unemployment, and what they call a “manufactured crisis” in the energy sector.
At the centre of this storm was TMC MP Kirti Azad, whose fiery speech not only targeted the government’s handling of the LPG crisis but also took a sharp geopolitical turn, dragging in the recently unsealed Epstein Files, alleged international oil conspiracies, and a sarcastic jibe at India’s scientific community.
Here is a breakdown of the key moments from that heated discussion, the context behind the claims, and why this Parliament session might be one of the most significant in recent memory.
The ‘Gas from Drains’ Sarcasm
Kirti Azad began his address by questioning the government’s narrative of self-reliance and technological supremacy. Referring to India’s prestigious scientific community, he took a dig at the ruling party’s slogans.
“India is a world leader, there are many great scientists here who produce gas from drains,” Azad remarked sarcastically.
The comment was a direct reference to the ruling party’s often-repeated boasts about waste-to-energy projects and bio-gas initiatives. While the government has often praised schemes like ‘SATAT’ (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) which promotes Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants from waste, Azad turned the rhetoric on its head.
He questioned the practicality of these solutions when immediate issues were at hand:
“If God’s kitchen is closed... what will happen to the public?”
This metaphor of the “God’s kitchen” resonated deeply in the chambers. It highlighted the anxiety of millions of householders who rely on subsidised LPG for their daily cooking. The underlying question was simple yet devastating: What is the use of futuristic drain gas if the present supply of cooking gas is choked?
‘Government of Thieves’: The Price Hike Rant
The LPG price hike was the central theme of Azad’s diatribe. He did not mince his words, launching a direct assault on the Prime Minister and his economic policies.
“This person throws fake slogans, this is a government of thieves and robbers, people are being looted by doubling the prices of diesel, petrol and gas for the last 12 years, his dictatorship is being run through EVMs,” he thundered.
The accusation of price doubling is rooted in the cumulative inflation data over the past decade. While global energy prices have fluctuated wildly, particularly post-2022, the Opposition claims the government has used these external factors to mask its failure to control domestic taxation.
Recent data shows the pressure is real. By March 2026, Indian oil marketing companies had raised domestic LPG prices for the first time in nearly a year. In Delhi, a 14.2-kg cylinder now costs ₹913—a 7% increase directly attributed to the ongoing Iran conflict disrupting shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz.
This geopolitical context, however, did little to soothe the MPs. CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar also pushed for an emergency discussion, flagging the “immense hardship” faced by citizens due to longer waiting periods and commercial LPG shortages that were forcing small restaurants to shut down.
The Epstein Files Enter the Indian Parliament
In a startling twist, Kirti Azad linked domestic energy policy to international conspiracy theories.
“In this war, all the actors in the Epstein Files are being exposed. A journey from Venezuela to Iran. The objective is to seize control of oil and gas,” he claimed.
This reference to the Epstein Files marks a surreal moment in Indian parliamentary history. The newly released documents—often referred to as the Epstein Files—have sent shockwaves through global elite circles, revealing connections between financiers, politicians, and oil-rich nations.
Recent investigative reporting by the Miami Herald has indeed drawn lines between the Epstein circle and Venezuelan oil. Emails show that Francisco D’Agostino, a Venezuelan businessman, maintained a close friendship with Epstein, pitching business deals and political intelligence regarding Venezuela’s state oil company (PDVSA). D’Agostino discussed potential investments in Venezuelan bonds and offered to introduce Epstein to the country’s elite, including those close to the Chávez and Maduro regimes.
Kirti Azad’s narrative suggested a grand global conspiracy where superpowers are fighting for energy dominance, with India caught in the crossfire. He implied that the current pressure on prices is not just market-driven, but a result of shadowy deals and power plays by Western elites seeking to control resources from Caracas to Tehran.
Hey Brother, If Modi is There, Anything is Possible’
Perhaps the most viral moment of the speech came when Azad adopted a mocking, conversational tone to mimic the ruling party’s supporters.
“Hey brother, if Modi is there then anything is possible, not just gas from the drain, he will even remove it from the sanitation workers, just wait and see brothers and sisters,” he jeered.
The remark was aimed at the perceived overreach of the government’s publicity machine. By invoking sanitation workers, Azad touched upon a sensitive nerve. He was sarcastically warning that if the government fails to secure gas imports, they might resort to further exploiting the margins of the poor or making unrealistic promises.
While the comment was made in jest, it highlighted a grim reality. Commercial LPG shortages have been reported in states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with hotel associations writing desperate letters to the Prime Minister. In response, the government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act and prioritised household gas, but this has meant cutting supply to commercial sectors.
The Geopolitical Reality: Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
While the parliamentary rhetoric was heated, the ground reality is dictated by a very real war. As the Iran conflict entered its 11th day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an emergency meeting with his top ministers, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
India imports roughly 80–85% of its LPG requirements, and a staggering 80–90% of these imports come from the Middle East via the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts have warned that if disruptions last longer than 10 to 15 days, the country could start facing severe shortages. Currently, India has about 25 days of LPG stocks.
The government has responded by boosting domestic LPG production by 10% and diversifying procurement, stating that 70% of crude supply is now being sourced from outside the Middle East (up from 55% ten days prior).
However, analysts from firms like Kpler suggest that while India can draw upon its Mangalore LPG storage, the structural dependence on imports means that "incremental output may cover only part of the LPG imported, not fully replace it."
Opposition United, Government on the Back Foot
The discussion in the Lok Sabha revealed a united Opposition. Priyanka Gandhi reiterated the demand for a full debate, asking, “How much will the public tolerate?” She blamed the Centre’s policies for exacerbating the crisis caused by global events.
The government, meanwhile, maintained that it was taking all necessary steps to ensure supply and had prioritised households over industries to protect the common citizen. The Petroleum Ministry assured that piped natural gas for homes and CNG for vehicles would receive 100% supply.
Conclusion: A Battle of Narratives
Kirti Azad’s speech was a melting pot of legitimate grievance, political sarcasm, and international conspiracy. By linking the Epstein Files to the energy crisis, he tapped into a growing global sentiment of distrust toward elite networks. His "drain gas" jibe effectively punctured the ruling party's technological triumphalism, bringing the debate back to the empty kitchens of middle-class and poor Indians.
As the war in West Asia continues and the price of essentials climbs, this Budget session will likely be remembered as the moment the Opposition found its voice—tying together the threads of local hardship and global conspiracy.
Whether you believe in the Epstein conspiracy or not, one thing is clear: the Indian voter is watching, and in a democracy, the final verdict on this gas crisis will be delivered not in Parliament, but at the polling booth.
Disclaimer: This blog reports on statements made by Members of Parliament during parliamentary proceedings. The views expressed by the MP are his own and do not reflect the views of the publication. The reference to the Epstein Files is based on publicly available international news reports and the MP's interpretation thereof.
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