Arvind Kejriwal to march to PM Modi's residence over E20 petrol tomorrow

Arvind Kejriwal said he will take 100 people to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence to submit a petition against E20 petrol. Delhi Police denied permission for the August 4 march, setting up a fresh face-off over the fuel issue.

In Short

• AAP's online petition against E20 petrol has gathered over 2 lakh signatures
• Kejriwal alleged India yielded to Donald Trump on US ethanol purchases
• He said vehicle owners were reporting several problems after using blended fuel

AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal has announced a march to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence over E20 petrol, but Delhi Police have said the proposed August 4 procession will not be allowed, setting the stage for a fresh confrontation between the AAP and the Centre.

Kejriwal said on Monday that he would march to Modi's residence with 100 people to personally hand over petitions against ethanol-blended petrol. He alleged that the Centre was pushing E20 fuel after "yielding" to US President Donald Trump to buy ethanol from the United States.

Delhi Police, however, said no permission had been granted for the march and security arrangements were being made to prevent any unauthorised procession.

"I will go to the PM's residence tomorrow along with 100 people to personally hand over the petitions signed by the public and discuss issues related to ethanol-blended petrol," Kejriwal said at a press conference.

"People are facing several problems in their vehicles and despite all that the government is continuing with this, which means there is a hidden agenda," he added.

The proposed march follows an AAP campaign against E20 petrol, including an online petition that Kejriwal said has collected more than 2 lakh signatures.

KEJRIWAL BLAMES TRUMP FOR E20 PUSH

Kejriwal alleged that India "yielded" to Trump to buy ethanol from the United States and questioned why the government was continuing with its push for ethanol-blended petrol despite complaints from vehicle owners.

The former Delhi chief minister said he had written to Modi last month seeking an appointment to discuss concerns over E20 petrol but received no response.

"We did not get any response on the letter, so now we will personally hand over the petition to PM Modi," Kejriwal said.

In his letter, Kejriwal had sought the availability of both pure petrol and E20 fuel at petrol stations. He had also demanded a reduction in the price of ethanol-blended petrol.

Kejriwal also described the AAP's "Ethanol Townhall", organised last week, as a "huge success", saying a large number of people joined the meeting virtually.

POLICE DENY PERMISSION FOR AUGUST 4 MARCH

The proposed march is scheduled for 12 noon on August 4, with Kejriwal planning to be accompanied by 100 volunteers carrying a petition against E20 fuel with 2 lakh signatures collected through the online campaign.

A Delhi Police source said no permission had been granted for the march and security arrangements were being put in place to prevent any unauthorised procession.

The police response came after Kejriwal announced the plan at an AAP "National Town Hall Against E20" on Saturday.

DELHI BJP ATTACKS KEJRIWAL

Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra accused Kejriwal of trying to outdo the Congress in what he called a competition over who could emerge as the country's "Number 1 anarchist".

Malhotra said Kejriwal appeared to be falling behind after the Congress staged a protest at the Prime Minister's residence and was now planning his own march over the ethanol issue without permission.

He accused the AAP chief of deliberately creating a confrontation and then portraying himself as a victim.

"Tomorrow, when the police prevent him from entering the Prime Minister's residence without permission, Kejriwal will once again play the victim card and claim that the government refused even to hold talks with him," Malhotra said.

Malhotra also said that creating disorder first and then playing the victim card had long been Kejriwal's political style.

The proposed march now sets up a fresh face-off over E20 petrol, with Kejriwal seeking to personally submit the petition to Modi while police prepare to stop the unauthorised procession.

- Ends
With inputs from PTI