E20 Petrol policy: Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia stage sit in protest after march to PM’s residence stopped

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Tuesday stopped Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal and several others from marching towards the Prime Minister’s residence. They were protesting against the government’s E20 fuel policy. After the march was stopped, the party leaders started a sit-in protest on the Firoz Shah Road.

The party planned to submit more than 2.30 lakh petitions against E20 fuel to the Prime Minister. But after being stopped AAP leaders, including Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Jasmine Shah and hundreds of party workers, sat on the road to protest against the government and the police action.

Police stopped the protestors at Firoz Shah road. They were not allowed to move towards the PM’s residence.

PTI quoted a police source as saying, “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.”

The AAP leaders, along with 100 supporters had started the march towards the PM’s residence, earlier in the day. They were carrying petitions against the E20 petrol being introduced by the government. The petitions were from people from across the country. The party alleged that the E20 petrol, which is blended with ethanol is impacting the efficiency of the vehicles.

Talking to supporters post the march, Kejriwal said that the government must hear the concerns of the people impacted by the policy.

He said, “We are going to the Prime Minister’s residence with over 2.30 lakh petitions signed by the 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.”

Kejriwal asked why the government was forcing E20 petrol, despite complaints against it from vehicle owners. He said that people must have a choice between using normal petrol and E20 petrol and if E20 was being promoted, it should be at a lower price.

AAP has campaigned against the E20 fuel, and held an “Ethanol Town Hall” and also launched a nationwide signature campaign against its introduction.

BJP has said that Kejriwal is trying to revive his political fortunes through the issue and also working against the interest of farmers.