Kejriwal Accuses Modi Government of Sacrificing Consumer Interests to US Trade Demands

India's energy policy is on the verge of a major confrontation as Arvind Kejriwal, national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), prepares to lead a march to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence. The protest is aimed at opposing the mandatory rollout of E20 fuel, which critics argue is damaging millions of older vehicle engines and delivering no cost relief at the pump to ordinary commuters.

Kejriwal alleges that the central government has sacrificed domestic consumer interests to yield to diplomatic pressure from US President Donald Trump. He claims that the accelerated E20 rollout points to a 'hidden agenda' tied to American agricultural exports.

The controversy centers on E20, a blended automotive fuel comprising 20 percent ethanol and 80 percent standard petrol. While the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas champions the blend as a critical mechanism to reduce India's colossal crude oil import bill and curb tailpipe emissions, opposition leaders argue that it is causing widespread mechanical complaints.

Kejriwal has demanded dual availability of pure unblended petrol alongside E20 at petrol stations and price parity for ethanol-blended petrol. The AAP leader claims that the government is continuing with the E20 mandate despite public opposition, which he believes points to a hidden agenda tied to American agricultural exports.