PANAJI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa on Monday urged vehicle owners, mechanics and petrol pump operators to participate in a nationwide town hall on August 1 to raise concerns over the rollout of E20 petrol, alleging that the fuel is reducing mileage and causing damage to vehicles.
Addressing a press conference, AAP Goa President Valmiki Naik claimed that the Centre had forced the use of E20 petrol despite concerns raised by vehicle manufacturers and consumers.
"We have been raising this issue since the beginning. Our National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that if E20 petrol is being made mandatory, petrol prices should be reduced because mileage has dropped and vehicles are getting damaged. We also demanded compensation for consumers," Naik said.
He said the party launched the website stope20petrol.com, which has received nearly two lakh responses from across the country.
"We personally visited petrol pumps, interacted with mechanics and petrol pump owners, and it is clear that people are facing two major problems-reduced mileage and additional damage to their vehicles," he said.
Naik announced that AAP will organise a National Town Hall against E20 petrol at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on August 1 at 11.30 am, with an option for people across the country to participate online.
"We request everyone to join this town hall. Consumers, garage owners, petrol pump owners and experts should participate and share their experiences. We want to build enough public pressure so that the Prime Minister and the government are forced to address this issue," he said.
He said people outside Delhi can register to participate online by sending a WhatsApp message to 8588833212, after which they will receive the joining link.
Another AAP leader alleged that E20 petrol acts as "slow poison" for vehicles.
"Many vehicle owners are still unaware of the long-term damage. Mechanics have told us that E20 petrol damages rubber components, including the carburetor float pin and other parts, leading to fuel leakage and lower mileage," he claimed.
The party also criticised Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, alleging that consumers were being made to pay market prices for a fuel that costs significantly less to produce.
Naik also accused the BJP of attempting to divert attention from national issues by linking AAP to a recent controversy involving a youth detained for displaying a placard during a public celebration.
"The BJP has spent the last 12 years trying to control the national narrative through social media, WhatsApp, television channels and its IT cell. They are trying to divert attention from the victory of students by dragging the Aam Aadmi Party into unrelated controversies," he alleged.
Rejecting allegations that he had supported a mercy petition for Mumbai terror convict Ajmal Kasab, Naik termed the claim "complete propaganda."
"Who in this country would support Kasab? The allegation is entirely false," he said.
Naik also referred to Goan photojournalist Sebastian D'souza, who captured the iconic photograph of Kasab during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, saying AAP workers had donated blood when the photographer later required medical treatment.
When asked about AAP's support for the recent protest, Naik said it was a public event and not organised by any political party.
"It was an open public gathering. The BJP is trying to portray it as a political programme to suit its narrative. The police have registered an FIR, and they should investigate the matter and establish the facts," he said.
