Arvind Kejriwal is set to lead protest march against E20 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence with 100 supporters to submit petitions against the blended fuel.
Photo : ANI
Arvind Kejriwal, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener, who has been raising voice over blending of ethanol and petrol is set to lead a protest march along with 100 people, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence today. Kejriwal is expected to begin the march from AAP headquarters to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg – The Prime Minister’s Residence – around 12 PM. However, a police source said that no permission has been granted and security arrangements are being made to prevent any unauthorised procession.
The AAP supremo seeks to submit petitions against E20 petrol, alleging that the Centre was pushing the blended fuel under pressure from US President Donald Trump. Kejriwal’s Tuesday agitation has come two days after he addressed a townhall at the Constitution Club in New Delhi to highlight the issue.
Kejriwal Alleges Govt Pursuing E20 Policy Under Pressure From Trump
The AAP convener has alleged that India “yielded” to Trump to buy ethanol from the United States and said the government’s continued push for ethanol-blended petrol suggested there was a “hidden agenda”.
“I will go to the PM’s residence tomorrow along with 100 people to personally hand over the petitions signed by the public and discuss issues related to ethanol-blended petrol. People are facing several problems in their vehicles and despite all that the government is continuing with this, which means there is a hidden agenda,” Kejriwal said at a press conference.
Kejriwal Competing For Number 1 Anarchist, Taunts BJP
Hitting out at AAP chief, Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra said that Kejriwal’s announcement to march to the Prime Minister’s residence is part of the ongoing competition between him and the Congress over who can emerge as the country’s Number 1 anarchist.
He said that ever since the Congress staged a protest at the Prime Minister’s residence, Kejriwal appeared to be falling behind in this politics of disruption. To make up for it, Kejriwal announced that he would march to the Prime Minister’s residence over the ethanol issue without obtaining permission, Malhotra said.
Kejriwal Will Play Victim Card, Predicts BJP
Malhotra said that creating disorder first and then playing the victim card has long been Kejriwal’s political style.
“Tomorrow, when the police prevent him from entering the Prime Minister’s residence without permission, Kejriwal will once again play the victim card and claim that the government refused even to hold talks with him,” Malhotra said.
Kejriwal said he would personally hand over the petitions to Modi after receiving no response to a letter he sent to the prime minister last month seeking an appointment to discuss concerns over E20 petrol.
