Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the E20-blended petrol issue, urging the Centre to immediately address growing public concerns. In his letter, Arvind Kejriwal has made two key demands: that people should have the option to choose between pure petrol and E20 at every petrol pump, and that the price of E20 should be reduced, as its use is leading to lower vehicle mileage.
The AAP Chief also appealed to people to visit his or the AAP's social media handles, where they can sign an online petition addressed to the Prime Minister and share their experiences with E20 petrol. He said he has also sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to personally submit the petition along with people's testimonies.
Addressing a press conference, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said, "People across the country are deeply upset over E20-blended petrol. I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister on Monday regarding this issue.
In my letter, I told the Prime Minister that we live in a democracy and that he should listen to the voice of the people. People across the country are saying that the mileage of their vehicles is dropping and that their vehicle parts and components are getting damaged."
Outlining his demands to the Prime Minister, the AAP Chief stated, “First, every petrol pump should provide people with a choice. Those who want to get pure petrol should be able to do so, and those who want E20 should also have that option.
This choice must be available at every petrol pump. Second, the price of E20 should be lower than that of petrol. If E20 delivers lower mileage, then its price should also be lower.
In the same letter, I have also sought time to meet the Prime Minister so that I can explain to him that I have met people, spoken to them and remain in constant touch with them. I want to explain what people are feeling and the technical aspects of this issue. I hope the Prime Minister will call me for a meeting at the earliest."
Announcing a nationwide petition, Arvind Kejriwal added, "Meanwhile, we have launched a petition across the country. This is a letter from citizens addressed to the Prime Minister. If people visit any of my or the Aam Aadmi Party's social media handles, including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook or X, they will find a link in the bio.
Clicking on that link will open the petition. I want as many people as possible to sign this petition online." Explaining the purpose of the petition, the AAP Supremo emphasised, "People can also share their experiences in the petition.
They can mention which vehicle they own, how much mileage it used to give earlier, how much it gives now, what problems have developed in their vehicle and which components have been damaged. People are free to write whatever they wish to share.
Whenever the Prime Minister calls me for a meeting, I will take printouts of all the petitions and submit them to him. I appeal to everyone to sign this petition in the largest possible numbers so that the voice of the people reaches the Prime Minister."
Recalling his recent public interactions, Arvind Kejriwal shared, "On Sunday, I visited service stations and petrol pumps where I spoke to people. I would like to appeal to all Aam Aadmi Party karyakartas and leaders to step out of their homes and visit petrol pumps and service stations.
Speak to people who come there to refuel their vehicles or get them repaired, record their videos and share them on social media." Calling for wider public participation, he asserted, "Everyone who is troubled by this issue, whether they are associated with the AAP or not, should record their own videos and upload them on social media.
Flood social media with these videos because this government is not going to listen so easily. But if we share our experiences in large numbers and post more and more videos, the government will be forced to listen. Fill social media with as many videos as possible on the E20 issue."
Arvind Kejriwal Writes to the Prime Minister
Respected Prime Minister,
There is a huge public outcry over the imposition of E20 petrol on vehicles that are not E20-compliant. Rather than listen to the genuine and widespread distress, the ministers are abusing protestors as "anti-nationals", "unemployed social activists", "lobbyists" etc.
There is no logical, scientific, engineering or economic argument that justifies government's decision. People suspect that perhaps there are vested interests who are dictating this decision rather than larger public welfare.
There are nearly 30 crore registered two-wheelers and four-wheelers that were manufactured before 2023 and, therefore, are not E20-compliant. Even the Owner Manuals of all of these vehicles advice against the usage of any other fuel except pure petrol or E10 petrol in some cases, but never E20.
But because of being left with no option but to use E20, their owners are suffering a significant loss of fuel mileage, along with accelerated wear and tear, and damage to critical engine and fuel-system components. I personally visited a few petrol pumps and service centres and witnessed the large scale distress first hand. This distress is visible everywhere on social media also.
I urge you to implement the following two measures:
1. Provide consumers the choice between pure petrol and E20 at fuel stations, so that owners of non-compliant vehicles are not forced to use fuel that damages their vehicles.
2. Reduce the price of E20 to reflect the lower calorific value and reduced mileage it delivers, so that citizens are not paying full price for a compromised product.
I would like to meet you to personally brief you about this matter in detail. I request you to kindly grant me an appointment at your earliest convenience.