Arvind Kejriwal's march to PM's residence over E20 blocked by Delhi police

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, senior leader Manish Sisodia and several other party leaders staged a protest on Firoz Shah Road on Tuesday after Delhi Police stopped their march towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence.

The AAP leaders, along with around 100 supporters, were marching to submit more than 2.30 lakh petitions against E20 petrol to the Prime Minister.

The petitions, according to the party, were collected from people across the country opposing the government's policy of promoting ethanol-blended fuel. Police stopped the march before it could reach the PM's residence, following which Kejriwal, Sisodia, AAP leader Jasmine Shah and other leaders sat on the road in protest.


Addressing supporters before the march, Kejriwal said the party wanted the government to listen to the concerns of vehicle owners. "We are going to the Prime Minister's residence with over 2.30 lakh petitions signed by people from across the country. We want the government to listen to the concerns of crores of vehicle owners who are facing problems because of E20 petrol," he said.

Speaking during the march, Kejriwal also alleged that the Centre was promoting ethanol blending under pressure from the United States.

"People are troubled by E20. PM Modi is imposing ethanol under pressure from America. This is not right. We request Modi ji to stop doing so... We want to meet the Prime Minister... he is our Prime Minister," Kejriwal said.

Police prevented the AAP delegation from proceeding beyond 5, Firoz Shah Road. "No one will be allowed ahead of 5, Firoz Shah Road. We have deployed adequate security, including Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, to maintain law and order," a police source said.

The protest comes days after the AAP organised an "Ethanol Town Hall" and launched a signature campaign against E20 fuel. Kejriwal had earlier written to Prime Minister Modi seeking an appointment to discuss concerns over ethanol-blended petrol and had demanded that consumers be given the option to choose between pure petrol and E20 at fuel stations.

He also said, "People are asking why the government is forcing E20 petrol despite complaints from vehicle owners. We only want people to have the choice of buying pure petrol and E20, and if E20 is being promoted, it should be sold at a lower price."