Delhi Police on Tuesday stopped Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and several senior party leaders from marching to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence to submit more than 2.30 lakh petitions opposing the Centre’s E20 petrol policy. The march, which began with around 100 supporters, was aimed at urging the government to reconsider its promotion of ethanol-blended fuel. After being stopped near Firoz Shah Road, Kejriwal, former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, AAP leader Jasmine Shah, and other party members staged a sit-in protest on the road.

Addressing supporters before the march, Kejriwal said the petitions had been collected from citizens across the country who were concerned about the impact of E20 petrol on their vehicles. He claimed that crores of vehicle owners were facing difficulties because of the ethanol-blended fuel and appealed to the Centre to listen to public concerns. Kejriwal reiterated that the party was not opposing ethanol itself but was demanding that consumers be given the freedom to choose between pure petrol and E20 fuel at petrol stations across the country.

Police officials said protesters would not be allowed to proceed beyond 5, Firoz Shah Road, and confirmed that adequate security personnel, including Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, had been deployed to maintain law and order. The protest follows AAP’s recent “Ethanol Town Hall” campaign and a nationwide signature drive against E20 petrol. Kejriwal has also written to the Prime Minister seeking a meeting on the issue and argued that if E20 fuel continues to be promoted, it should be offered at a lower price while ensuring consumers have the option to purchase regular petrol.