Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, has urged citizens and party workers to launch a social media campaign against the government’s E20 petrol policy, citing public grievances over reduced mileage and engine performance.
Kejriwal’s Call to Action on E20 Fuel
In a video message on Tuesday, Kejriwal asked supporters to visit petrol pumps, document consumer experiences, and share videos online to amplify opposition to the ethanol-blended fuel. He stated that the government would only respond to widespread public pressure.
The appeal follows his visit to a Delhi fuel station last Saturday, where he claimed vehicle owners reported issues with E20 petrol. Kejriwal has also sought a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss these concerns.
Demands for Consumer Choice and Price Adjustments
In a letter to the PM, Kejriwal requested that petrol pumps offer both pure petrol and the E20 blend as options. He also demanded a price reduction for E20 to offset alleged mileage losses. The AAP has launched an online petition for citizens to log their complaints.
Government’s Defense of Ethanol Policy
The government maintains that its ethanol-blended petrol program has benefited the sugar economy, increased farmers’ incomes, and saved India over Rs 1.90 lakh crore in foreign exchange since 2014-15. Kejriwal, however, dismissed these claims as misleading, insisting that public concerns must be addressed.
