E20 Janta Party Demands 100% Petrol Option and Gadkari’s Resignation

A newly formed pressure group, the E20 Janta Party, has launched an online campaign demanding that petrol pumps offer consumers a clear choice to buy 100% petrol alongside ethanol-blended fuel. Inspired by the Cockroach Janta Party’s successful digital agitation over the NEET paper leak, the group is also seeking the resignation of Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, whom it holds responsible for the government’s ethanol-blending policy.

Within hours of its Sunday launch, the campaign attracted more than 25,000 followers on X. The group insists it is not against ethanol blending itself or asking for subsidies. Its key demands are straightforward: availability of pure petrol at all retail stations, transparent fuel labelling so buyers know exactly what they are purchasing, and publication of official data on the costs, benefits and impact of different fuel blends, including independent studies on mileage, engine performance and maintenance.

The campaign has already gained backing from parts of the transport sector. The Delhi Taxi and Tourist Transporters and Tour Operators Association has announced a march to Parliament on 4 August to protest the use of E20 petrol, alleging the policy has hurt fuel efficiency and raised maintenance costs, especially in older vehicles. While ethanol-free 100-octane premium petrol exists at select outlets, it costs around Rs 169 a litre in Delhi—far more than the roughly Rs 102 a litre for regular E20—making it inaccessible to most. The government maintains it has not received widespread or substantiated complaints about ethanol-blended fuel affecting vehicle performance.

What the Social Media Campaign Signals About Fuel Choice Sentiment

A Playbook Borrowed from the Cockroach Janta Party

The E20 Janta Party’s strategy deliberately mirrors the online movement that forced the resignation of the then education minister over a exam paper leak. By naming a specific minister and framing its demand around his removal, the group seeks to convert consumer unease about ethanol blending into a focused political pressure point. Whether the tactic will work is uncertain—fuel policy is complex and the minister’s portfolio is broad—but the rapid social-media growth and backing from a real-world transport association give the campaign a higher profile than a typical online petition.

The Underlying Consumer Discontent

At its core, the campaign taps into a persistent anxiety about vehicle upkeep and running costs. Older cars, two-wheelers and commercial fleets are often more sensitive to fuel composition, and even a small drop in fuel economy or a rise in maintenance bills can squeeze household and business budgets. The government’s statement that there have been no widespread complaints does not address the lack of easily available, fairly priced unblended petrol. That disconnect is what the E20 Janta Party is exploiting, turning a technical policy into a tangible consumer-rights issue linked to transparency and choice.