Akhilesh Yadav attacks Centre over E20 petrol, cites CEA’s reported backing for E10
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has criticized the Indian government's E20 petrol policy, citing concerns over vehicle damage and conflicting advice from economic officials. He argues that the policy imposes a financial burden on owners of older vehicles.
Why it matters
The transition to ethanol-blended fuel is a major policy shift with significant economic and technical implications for the automotive sector and consumers.
Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) attacked the Centre over E20 petrol, citing a reported remark by Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran backing E10 petrol and raising concern over the impact of E20 on vehicles.
In a post on X, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister shared a picture citing Mr. Nageswaran's reported remarks and questioned the government's position on the fuel.
"E20 petrol is damaging vehicles. The sale of E10 petrol should start again for old two-wheelers," read the picture.
"Who is right: the government or the adviser?" Mr. Yadav asked, referring to what he described as conflicting positions on E20.
The SP president said motorists whose vehicles had allegedly developed problems after using E20 were "being forced to seek assistance", while the government maintained that there was no issue with the fuel and advisers were cautioning about its impact on vehicles.
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