Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal will march to the Prime Minister’s residence today. At a press conference in Delhi on Monday, Kejriwal announced that he would lead the march at 12 noon on 4 August.
The former Delhi Chief Minister is protesting against E20 petrol. He said he would take 100 people with him and submit public interest petitions.
Kejriwal has alleged that India bowed to pressure from US President Donald Trump to buy ethanol from the United States, claiming the government is promoting E20 fuel under pressure.
He said the Centre’s continued push for E20 petrol points to a hidden agenda and claimed that many vehicle owners are facing problems because of the fuel.
However, Delhi Police sources said Kejriwal has not been granted permission to hold the march, and security arrangements have been made to prevent any procession.
Will hand over signatures of 200,000 people to the PM
Kejriwal said he had written to the Prime Minister last month seeking an appointment to discuss concerns over E20 petrol.
He claimed that he received no response to the letter and would therefore visit the Prime Minister’s residence in person to submit petitions signed by 200,000 people.
The AAP convenor has also demanded that petrol pumps offer both regular petrol and E20 fuel, and that the price of E20 petrol be reduced.
BJP says Kejriwal is pursuing the politics of disruption
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra criticised Kejriwal’s proposed march, saying it was part of a competition between the Congress and Kejriwal to become the country’s “number one anarchist”.
Malhotra alleged that since the Congress protested outside the Prime Minister’s residence, Kejriwal has been trying not to be left behind. He said protesting without permission and then playing the victim was Kejriwal’s old political style.
He further claimed that when police stop Kejriwal from approaching the Prime Minister’s residence without permission, he will once again accuse the government of refusing to engage with him.
