BJP slams Kejriwal over E20 opposition; questions his expertise

Union Minister Harsh Malhotra on Saturday slammed AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal for his opposition to E20 petrol, saying that his remarks on the issue made it seem “he did not even study at any ITI”.

Kejriwal claims to be an IIT graduate. However, his statements not only on E20 but also on several technical issues make it seem as if he has not even studied at an industrial training institute (ITI), Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra said.

“Had Kejriwal truly been educated at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), he would never have opposed ethanol-blended petrol, which helps the nation save foreign exchange, increases farmers’ income, and provides cleaner air to citizens,” Malhotra, who also heads Delhi BJP, said in a statement.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal who held a National Townhall against E20 at Delhi’s Constitution Club and announced that he will march to the Prime Minister’s residence on 4 August to personally submit more than two lakh online petitions signed by people across the country against E20 petrol.

He said he would leave at 12 noon with a group of 100 people to hand over the petitions to the Prime Minister.

The event at the Constitution Club began with a street play by students, featuring satirical performances inspired by ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ and other characters to highlight concerns surrounding E20. Kejriwal also pressed three demands over the roll-out of E20 fuel.  The AAP Chief appealed to only those who are not afraid of police ‘lathis’ (batons) or imprisonment to join him in the march.

Responding to a question about his announcement to march to the Prime Minister’s residence and the related security concerns, Arvind Kejriwal said, “Just as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) was allowed to go up to a certain point, I hope we too will at least be allowed to reach that point.”

Malhotra said Kejriwal’s Town Hall speech today on the E20 issue has once again raised serious questions about his claimed educational qualifications.

He seems determined to spread “misinformation” regarding E20 petrol, Malhotra charged, challenging Kejriwal to produce even 100 vehicles that have actually suffered damage or engine failure because of using E20 fuel.