New Delhi: Protest against E20 petrol is set to take a big shape on Saturday with AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal launching his national campaign. Activist Tehseen Poonawalla will also escalate his agitation with a silent march and a hunger strike.
Ahead of the campaign against the Centre’s E20 (20% ethanol-blended petrol) programme, Kejriwal on Friday sarcastically said a prominent person would be joining the agitation.
However, Poonawalla, had led the first on-ground protest on the ethanol-blending issue on July 5. He had announced that he would march to the Gandhi Smriti and sit on a hunger strike.
“Tomorrow (August 1), at the ‘National Town Hall Against E20’, a well-known personality from the country will be with me to listen to people’s problems and to take a ‘decision’ on E20. Do come to share your thoughts as well,” Kejriwal posted on X. He also released a WhatsApp number for people, who are willing to join the stir virtually.
Speaking at a press conference at the AAP headquarters on July 27, Kejriwal had linked the campaign against the E20 policy to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) agitation against paper leaks that had led to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“The youth of the country have forced an arrogant government to bow, and Dharmendra Pradhan had to resign before the people. I now urge the Prime Minister to resolve the E20-blended petrol issue as well. People are facing serious problems. Their vehicles are getting damaged, and fuel mileage is declining. Before this issue also grows bigger, I request the Prime Minister to take the initiative and resolve it,” he had said on July 27.
The campaign on Saturday will begin at New Delhi’s Constitution Club at noon. He has aksed participants to join by 11.30am.
The Centre’s rollout of 20% ethanol blending in petrol has drawn opposition from several organisations. Besides the AAP, activist Tehseen Poonawalla-led Team Bharat and the Delhi Taxi and Transport Owners and Tour Operators Association have also declared to stage protests.
However, Team Bharat, had called off its proposed march near Parliament Street after Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had met its representatives and sought more time to consider their demands. But Poonawalla on Friday announced that he would walk alone to Gandhi Smriti for launching a silent protest.