Turning the government’s E20 fuel programme into a political jibe, Gandhi wrote, “E20 turned into 420”, alleging that motorists are paying full prices for petrol while receiving fuel with a higher proportion of cheaper ethanol.
BY PC Bureau
November 7: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused oil marketing companies of selling petrol with ethanol content substantially higher than the prescribed 20% limit, citing laboratory tests commissioned by the Karnataka government. He alleged that motorists were being shortchanged on fuel quality, mileage and value for money.
In a post on X on Saturday, Gandhi questioned the Modi government’s promotion of E20 petrol, saying test results from seven Karnataka districts had exposed discrepancies between the mandated blend and the fuel being sold at petrol pumps.
According to the findings cited by Gandhi, 11 of 14 petrol samples tested at an accredited laboratory contained more than 20% ethanol. The highest readings included 31.2% at an Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) outlet and 30.5% at a Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) outlet.
The alleged excess was found in samples collected from outlets operated by both public-sector and private companies, including IOCL, HPCL, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Nayara Energy and Shell.
Gandhi also questioned the testing procedures followed by the oil companies, claiming that their own laboratories had failed to disclose the actual ethanol content in their reports.
“E20 turned into 420 – stealing petrol from the public’s cars,” he wrote, using the figure 420 as a reference to cheating. He alleged that consumers were paying the full price for petrol while receiving fuel containing a higher proportion of relatively cheaper ethanol.
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E20 बना 420 – जनता की गाड़ी से पेट्रोल चोरी!
मोदी सरकार कहती है – पेट्रोल में 20% एथेनॉल है। कर्नाटक सरकार ने 7 ज़िलों से पेट्रोल के सैंपल लेकर मान्यता प्राप्त लैब में जाँच करवाई।
नतीजा देखिए
– 14 में से 11 सैंपल में 20% से ज़्यादा एथेनॉल
– IOCL में 31.2%, HPCL में 30.5%
– IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, Nayara, Shell – सरकारी हों या प्राइवेट – सब सीमा से ऊपर
– और कंपनियों की अपनी लैब ने एथेनॉल की मात्रा रिपोर्ट में लिखी ही नहींमतलब आप पैसा महंगे पेट्रोल का दे रहे हैं, टंकी में एथेनॉल भरा जा रहा है। नुकसान किसका? आपका।
आपकी गाड़ी इतना एथेनॉल पचाने के लिए बनी ही नहीं – मतलब, घटता माइलेज, बार-बार मैकेनिक। शौक से ली गई गाड़ी की बर्बादी।
और पंप पर लिखा तक नहीं कि टंकी में क्या डाला जा रहा है – चुनने का कोई विकल्प नहीं।
मोदी जी, बताइए – देश की टंकी में क्या भरा जा रहा है? पेट्रोल में असल में कितना एथेनॉल है? 20% से ज़्यादा मिलावट करने वाली कंपनियों पर कार्रवाई कब होगी?
और डिबेट की चुनौती अब भी खड़ी है। ये मुद्दा भी जोड़ लेंगे – आपकी नीतियों से असल में फ़ायदा किसे हो रहा है?
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 7, 2026
The Congress leader warned that excessive ethanol blending could affect vehicle performance, particularly in engines not designed to run on higher ethanol concentrations. He cited concerns over reduced mileage and increased maintenance costs.
He also pointed out that petrol pumps do not clearly disclose the actual ethanol percentage in the fuel being dispensed, leaving consumers without the information needed to make an informed choice.
Gandhi demanded that the Centre disclose the actual ethanol content of petrol sold across the country and take action against companies found exceeding the prescribed limit. He also reiterated his call for a public debate with the government, saying the ethanol issue should form part of a wider discussion on who benefits from its policies.
The allegations are based on tests commissioned by the Karnataka government. The complete laboratory reports, the oil companies’ responses and any official clarification from the Centre were not immediately available. The findings cited by Gandhi have not been independently verified.
