New Delhi, Aug. 4 -- AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday marched towards the Prime Minister's residence with over 2.30 lakh petitions against E20 petrol but was stopped by Delhi Police, prompting him and party leaders to stage a sit-in on Firoz Shah Road and call for an intensified agitation against the blended fuel policy.
The march, which began with around 100 people, including vehicle owners the party said were affected by E20 petrol, saw protesters carrying bundles of petitions on their heads and shouting slogans against the Centre's ethanol-blended fuel policy.
The protesters shouted slogans such as "Trump ki gulami band karo", "Ethanol kharidna band karo", and "Petrol chor kaha milenge, BJP ke daftar mein".
Kejriwal was joined by former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, AAP leader Jasmine Shah and other party leaders. Police stopped the march near 5, Firoz Shah Road, where the leaders sat on the road with the petitions, insisting that they be accepted.
Police later took custody of the petitions after informing the delegation that the prime minister would not meet them. Police sources said the protesters would not be allowed to proceed beyond 5, Firoz Shah Road. "No one will be allowed ahead of 5, Firoz Shah Road. We have deployed adequate security, including Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, to maintain law and order," a police officer said.
Addressing supporters before the march, Kejriwal said the party was carrying more than 2.30 lakh petitions signed by people from across the country. "We are going to the Prime Minister's residence with over 2.30 lakh petitions signed by people from across the country. We want the government to listen to the concerns of crores of vehicle owners who are facing problems because of E20 petrol," he said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.