Kejriwal accuses centre of coercing automakers over E20 fuel safety

Arvind Kejriwal, national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, told reporters he had written to 29 two-wheel and four-wheel manufacturers asking whether vehicles built before 2023 could safely run on E20 petrol and whether companies would compensate owners for any damage. He said nine firms confirmed over the phone that using the blend could harm engines and reduce mileage, and that officials warned of possible plant shutdowns or actions by the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department and CBI if the issue were made public.

Kejriwal also alleged the Delhi Police were trying to cancel a national town-hall on E20 scheduled at the Constitution Club. The Bharatiya Janata Party, via spokesperson Amit Malviya, cited statements from executives at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Maruti Suzuki, Hero MotoCorp and others, asserting that rigorous testing showed no adverse effects even on older models. The party emphasized that the rollout followed years of consultation with SIAM, ARAI and other bodies, and dismissed the opposition’s claims as unfounded political rhetoric.