Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has announced a ‘National Town Hall’ to build public support against the government’s E20 ethanol-blended petrol policy. The former Delhi chief minister also said he plans to submit more than two lakh petitions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week, urging the Centre to address concerns raised over the fuel programme. Kejriwal made the announcement during a press conference, where he targeted the government over the E20 issue and warned that the matter could grow into a larger public movement if concerns were not addressed.
He linked the campaign to recent youth-led protests over other issues and said public pressure had forced the government to respond in the past. “The youth of this country have made an arrogant government bow down, resulting in Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Now, I request the Prime Minister to also resolve the E20 issue before it turns into a massive protest,” Kejriwal said. The AAP leader said the upcoming ‘National Town Hall’ would provide a platform for people to discuss their concerns regarding ethanol-blended fuel.
The event is scheduled for Saturday afternoon and will allow participation from both Delhi-NCR residents and people from other parts of the country through an online platform. “We are starting a National Town Hall this Saturday afternoon to unite people on this issue. Residents of Delhi-NCR can attend in person, while those from outside can join online. Through this Town Hall, we will hold discussions with experts, victims, and the general public,” Kejriwal said. The E20 policy refers to petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol and is part of the Centre’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, promote renewable fuel sources and support the agricultural sector.
The government has maintained that the policy is safe and beneficial for the economy and environment. However, critics have raised concerns over the impact of higher ethanol blending on vehicle performance, fuel efficiency and compatibility, particularly among owners of older vehicles. The debate has gained traction on social media, with several online campaigns questioning aspects of the policy and demanding greater clarity from authorities.
The government has rejected claims that E20 fuel causes engine failures, though officials have acknowledged that there may be a marginal reduction in fuel efficiency due to the higher ethanol content. Supporters of the policy argue that ethanol blending can help reduce India's oil import bill and provide additional opportunities for farmers involved in ethanol production. Kejriwal’s announcement comes amid growing online discussions surrounding the E20 policy, with social media campaigns attracting attention and criticism from both supporters and opponents. The AAP has sought to use the issue to mobilise public opinion and highlight concerns among vehicle owners.
The former Delhi chief minister said the party would collect public feedback through the town hall and present the petitions to the Prime Minister. He also shared a registration number for people interested in participating in the event. As the debate over ethanol-blended fuel continues, the issue has become a fresh point of political confrontation between the opposition and the Centre. The upcoming National Town Hall is expected to provide AAP with a platform to further highlight its objections to the E20 policy and gather public support.