Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and Karnataka Minister Rizwan Arshad Clash Over Ethanol Blending

The political dispute over ethanol blending in petrol has intensified in Bengaluru. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress party of politicizing the issue to gain political relevance and please Rahul Gandhi. He dismissed the opposition's claims as unsubstantiated, noting that the Centre has already provided necessary clarifications regarding the fuel policy. Defending the initiative, Joshi stated that the programme aims to <b>support farmers</b> and reduce India's dependence on imported crude oil. He highlighted that while maize-derived ethanol costs between Rs 57 and Rs 71, the policy remains vital for national energy security and agricultural growth. In response, Karnataka Minister Rizwan Arshad has demanded <b>greater transparency</b> and independent testing of fuel samples.