Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has sharply criticized the Centre’s E20 (20% ethanol-blended) petrol policy. In a social media video post, Gandhi alleged that the rollout is damaging vehicles and financially burdening motorists across India, announcing that the Congress party will launch a nationwide campaign to address the issue.
Key Claims and Political Reactions
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“Stealing Directly From People”: Using the Hindi idiom “daal mein kuchh kaala hai, magar yahan puri daal hi kaali hai” (suggesting systemic corruption rather than an isolated glitch), Gandhi claimed E20 is “destroying people’s cars, destroying people’s scooters, destroying people’s lives, and literally stealing directly from them”.
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Opposition Alignment: The criticism mirrors recent protests by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). AAP leaders recently attempted to submit over 2.3 lakh consumer petitions against compulsory E20 fuel, demanding that unblended petrol remain available at fuel stations alongside lower retail prices for ethanol-blended petrol to compensate for reduced fuel economy.
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Political Retort: BJP leaders responded to the video post on X, pointing out that the vehicle examined by Rahul Gandhi in his clip was itself E20-compliant.
Government & Industry Response
| Stakeholder | Official Position & Stance |
| Ministry of Petroleum & Oil Marketing Companies | Assure consumers that E20 meets prescribed fuel-quality standards and undergoes continuous daily testing. While acknowledging minor mileage differences in older, non-E20 vehicles, officials reject claims of widespread engine damage. |
| Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) | Withdrew a previous technical communication regarding ethanol fuel quality to verify figures cited in media reports, emphasizing that technical consultations with automakers and oil firms remain routine. |
