New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced that he would lead a march to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on August 4, demanding that consumers be given the option to choose between regular petrol and E20-blended fuel at petrol pumps.
Addressing a town hall-style meeting on E20 fuel at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi, Kejriwal said the march would be organised after collecting petitions from citizens raising concerns over the use of E20 petrol.
March planned to Prime Minister’s residence
Kejriwal said he would begin collecting petitions from the public at 12 noon on Monday before leading a march with around 100 people to the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg.
He said the demonstration would focus on seeking greater consumer choice and policy changes regarding the sale of E20-blended petrol.
The AAP leader urged the Centre to consider the concerns raised by vehicle owners and motorists regarding the fuel.
Demands option between E20 and regular petrol
During the meeting, Kejriwal demanded that petrol pumps offer consumers the choice of purchasing either regular petrol or E20-blended petrol.
He also called for a reduction in petrol prices and argued that E20-blended fuel should be sold at a lower price than conventional petrol.
According to him, consumers should not be compelled to use a particular type of fuel and should be allowed to decide based on their vehicle’s compatibility and personal preference.
Seeks release of government study
Kejriwal also urged the Union government to make public the report it has cited to support its claim that E20-blended petrol does not damage vehicles.
He said the Centre had maintained that scientific studies found no adverse impact of E20 fuel on vehicles and called for those findings to be placed in the public domain.
According to Kejriwal, greater transparency would help address public concerns and enable consumers to make informed decisions.
Citizens share concerns over E20 fuel
The town hall meeting was attended by people from several states, many of whom shared their experiences regarding the use of E20-blended petrol.
Participants raised concerns about vehicle performance and other issues they claimed to have experienced after using the fuel.
The event provided a platform for motorists to voice their views on the rollout of E20 fuel and discuss its impact on vehicles.
Debate over E20 continues
The Centre has promoted E20-blended petrol as part of its broader strategy to increase ethanol blending, reduce dependence on imported crude oil and support cleaner fuel initiatives.
However, Kejriwal’s announcement highlights continuing political debate over the implementation of the programme and its impact on consumers.
The proposed march on August 4 is expected to focus on consumer choice, fuel pricing and transparency regarding studies related to E20 fuel compatibility.