Chennai, May 2 -- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Saturday criticised the hike in commercial LPG prices, alleging that the Union government delayed the increase until after elections and warned of a ripple effect on fuel and essential commodity costs.

Speaking to ANI, Elangovan said the hike would severely impact small businesses, particularly hotels and eateries dependent on commercial LPG.

"This government was waiting for the elections to get over. So they have increased, which means most of the hotels have to be closed. Because they're running on commercial LPG, but they have no other way except to close that because when the prices of the eatables increase, people will not buy," he said.

He further que...