The political war over India’s ethanol blending programme escalated on Thursday after BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya put a series of posts on X rebutting allegations made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national
convenor Arvind Kejriwal regarding ethanol blending in petrol, aviation fuel and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers’ (SIAM) report on E20 fuel quality.
The exchange comes after Kejriwal alleged that the Centre was planning to increase ethanol blending beyond current levels, claimed there were plans to mix ethanol into Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), and accused the government of suppressing scientific concerns over E20 petrol.
Row Over Higher Ethanol Blending In Petrol
Kejriwal claimed that the government was preparing to increase ethanol blending in petrol to more than 50 per cent after first introducing E20 fuel, and urged people to avoid buying new petrol and diesel vehicles for the time being.
Responding to the allegation, Malviya said the claim was “fake news” and asserted that the government of India has not taken any decision to increase ethanol blending beyond E20.
According to his post, any proposal for higher blending would require scientific studies, technical testing and consultations with vehicle manufacturers, oil marketing companies and other stakeholders before being considered.
Malviya also said India’s ethanol blending programme has progressed in phases over more than two decades, with E20 implemented only after extensive testing and consultations.
He further stated that ethanol-blended petrol sold in the country complies with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms and undergoes quality checks before reaching consumers.
In another post, Kejriwal alleged that the government planned to mix ethanol into Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), claiming experts believed it could compromise flight safety.
Malviya rejected the allegation, saying the government has not announced blending ordinary ethanol into ATF.
Instead, he said the notified framework relates to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is aviation-grade fuel produced through advanced processing and is chemically similar to conventional ATF.
According to Malviya, SAF must undergo rigorous testing and certification under internationally recognised ASTM standards before approval and is aligned with global aviation practices under ICAO frameworks.
He said equating certified SAF with simply mixing ethanol into jet fuel was inaccurate and created unnecessary alarm over aviation safety.
SIAM Report Sparks Fresh Political Face-Off
The latest exchange also centred on SIAM’s clarification regarding an earlier communication on E20 fuel quality.
Earlier, Kejriwal had cited what he described as a SIAM report, alleging that E20 petrol contained high levels of chloride and moisture capable of damaging vehicles.
He also questioned why the government had allegedly pressured SIAM to withdraw the report.
Malviya responded by saying SIAM had clarified that selective excerpts from its internal communication were taken out of context.
He highlighted SIAM’s statement that fuel quality testing covers more than 150 parameters, that the figures circulated publicly require authentication, and that there is “no cause for concern” regarding E20, with the automobile industry continuing to support the government’s ethanol blending programme.
Kejriwal Doubles Down, BJP Stands By SIAM Clarification
After Malviya’s response, Kejriwal again accused the Centre of forcing SIAM to withdraw its communication.
He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was pushing ethanol blending despite scientific objections and claimed the government was under pressure from US President Donald Trump to purchase ethanol from the United States.
Kejriwal reiterated that the Centre had compelled SIAM to withdraw its report and alleged that ethanol was being promoted “against all scientific evidence” because of pressure from the United States.
Malviya cited SIAM’s official clarification, arguing that the automobile industry’s body had withdrawn its earlier communication because the figures required authentication and that fuel quality testing already follows an extensive regulatory process.
SIAM said testing covers over 150 parameters, precautionary guidelines for chloride and sulphur are already in place, and oil marketing companies conduct regular quality checks.
It also stated there was no cause for concern and reaffirmed its support for the government’s E20 initiative before withdrawing its earlier communication.
