In a surprising turn of events during Wednesday’s all-party meeting on the escalating West Asia conflict, IUML MP P.V. Abdul Wahab offered rare support to the BJP-led government. While other members of the INDIA bloc fiercely questioned the Center’s foreign policy, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader “appreciated the efforts” taken to manage the domestic energy impact.
The Rationale: Protecting 1 Crore Indians
Wahab’s stance was driven by pragmatism regarding the Indian diaspora and energy stability:
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The Diaspora Factor: Wahab emphasized that nearly 1 crore Indians live and work in West Asia. He argued against taking any diplomatic steps that could jeopardize their safety or interests.
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Anti-Panic Stance: He warned against fueling panic over the LPG shortage, stating that “panicking will not help” and that the government must be supported in its crisis management.
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Accepting the “Hoarding” Narrative: While other opposition leaders dismissed it, Wahab appeared to accept the government’s briefing that current LPG shortages are largely due to panic-buying and hoarding rather than a total lack of reserves.
A “Pleasant Surprise” for the Government
Government and BJP sources described Wahab’s intervention as a “pleasant surprise.” His approach stood in stark contrast to other opposition figures:
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Silence on Palestine: Fellow leaders noted that Wahab did not bring up the Palestine issue or the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader during his intervention.
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Dissent from the Bloc: Other leaders, including those from the Congress, SP, and AIMIM, slammed the government’s “silence” on the US-Israel strikes in Iran and the timing of PM Modi’s recent visit to Israel.
The Energy Reality Check
During the meeting, the government provided a status update on India’s energy dependency:
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LPG Source: 80% of India’s LPG is imported from Qatar, making the region’s stability critical.
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Consumption Surge: The number of LPG-using households has skyrocketed from 14 crore in 2009 to 34 crore today.
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Strategic Reserves: The government maintained that India holds a 60-day oil reserve, though the opposition pointed out that these reserves do not apply to LPG.
Political Fallout in Kerala
Wahab’s move is particularly significant given the timing:
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Upcoming Elections: Kerala goes to the polls on April 9, 2026.
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UDF Dynamics: The IUML is a cornerstone of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala. His support for the Center on a sensitive international issue creates a visible fracture in the opposition’s unified front against the BJP.
