New 'E20 Janta Party' Demands Right to Choose Ethanol-Free Petrol

A new campaign styled as the "E20 Janta Party" has sprung up in the wake of the Cockroach Janta Party's success, demanding that consumers be given the option to buy 100% unblended petrol and calling for the resignation of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari over the ethanol-blending policy.

The outfit, which reportedly gathered more than 25,000 followers on X within hours of its launch on Sunday, says it is not asking for subsidies, free fuel, or a rollback of ethanol-blended petrol—only that retail buyers be offered the choice between E20 fuel and unblended petrol.

The campaign has found early backing among transport operators. The Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association announced a march to Parliament against E20 petrol on August 4, alleging that the blending policy has reduced fuel efficiency, driven up maintenance costs, and hurt engine performance, particularly in older vehicles.

Demands on the Table

According to The Times of India, the E20 Janta Party's charter asks for:

• Consumer choice: Retail sale of 100% petrol alongside E20 so buyers can decide what they fill up with.
• Transparent labelling: Fuel pumps must clearly disclose what blend is being sold.
• Public data: Publication of studies on the costs, benefits, mileage, and emissions impact of ethanol blends.
• Independent studies: Third-party assessments of engine performance, emissions, and maintenance costs tied to E20 use.
• Gadkari's resignation: Accountability from the minister who oversees the fuel-blending drive.

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi told Parliament last week that the government had not received "widespread or substantiated" complaints about ethanol-blended petrol affecting vehicle performance.

Echoes From the CJP Victory Rallies

The demand is not confined to Delhi. At a Sunday morning victory rally outside Mumbai's Shivaji Park on July 26, protesters celebrating the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan signalled that E20 could be the next flashpoint.

Shubham Shyam, 32, stood with a dafali outside the iconic ground and said it was time to "rest, reset, and then take down Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari," hinting at criticism over the implementation of E20.

"We will party for two weeks, then we will play the sugarcane game," Mr. Shyam told The Hindu, alluding to the ethanol-from-sugarcane nexus behind the blending programme.

Others echoed him. Aarsh, 25, a content writer, and Rohan, 19, a B.Tech student, both said "E20 kills vehicles and people's pockets." Rohan said he had watched fuel prices climb since the 10th grade, and added that with mileage dropping and pure petrol expensive, the cheaper E20 option does not feel like a real choice.

What We Can Verify

• A group calling itself the "E20 Janta Party" launched Sunday and gathered over 25,000 followers on X within hours, demanding the resignation of Nitin Gadkari and consumer access to unblended petrol (The Times of India).
• The Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association announced a march to Parliament against E20 petrol scheduled for August 4 (The Times of India).
• Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi told Parliament last week that the government had not received "widespread or substantiated" complaints about ethanol-blended petrol affecting vehicle performance (The Times of India).
• At a rally at Mumbai's Shivaji Park on July 26, protesters Shubham Shyam, Aarsh, and Rohan called for action against Nitin Gadkari over E20 (The Hindu).

What Remains Unverified

• The internal structure, registered leadership, and funding of the "E20 Janta Party" beyond its X handle [unverified].
• The specific turnout expected for the August 4 Parliament march [unverified].
• Whether the campaign has formal links to the Cockroach Janta Party or is purely inspired by it [unverified].