Congress Holds Protest Against Gadkari Over E20 Fuel Row, Demands His Resignation
Chanting slogans against the viability of E20 fuel, Youth Congress activists marched from Mahal's Chitnivis Park Square to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s private residence nearby.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Youth Congress on Monday held a protest march in Nagpur against the central government’s E20 ethanol-blended petrol policy. They also tried to gherao the residence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, but were stopped by the police. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal termed the E-20 petrol policy a “major scam” and demanded Mr. Gadkari’s resignation.
Chanting slogans against the viability of E20 fuel, Youth Congress activists marched from Mahal's Chitnivis Park Square to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s private residence nearby. Police set up barricades and deployed heavy security along the route, halting demonstrators as they attempted to scale the barriers.
Maharashtra Congress president Sapkal also alleged a major financial scam in the implementation of the E-20 ethanol-blended petrol policy. Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Gadkari, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Congress leader demanded an apology from the PM and removal of Mr. Gadkari from the Union cabinet.
“The rollout of E-20 fuel was advanced prematurely from its original target year of 2030 to benefit select individuals linked to the administration. Vehicle owners across the country are facing widespread mechanical issues and breakdowns due to poor fuel quality. Water is being mixed into petrol instead of ethanol,” Mr Sapkal said.
Alleging the involvement of middlemen in the”scam”, the Congress leader promised that further details would surface soon.
Turning to state political developments, the Congress leader claimed that plans are underway to relocate Chief Minister Fadnavis to a central role in Delhi, potentially as the Union Education Minister. Mr. Sapkal alleged that this move is aimed at advancing the agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) regarding educational policy and constitutional changes. He also claimed that internal friction within the ruling Mahayuti coalition is working to diminish Mr. Fadnavis’s influence in Maharashtra.
