Overview

• Speaking in Nagpur, the Union minister declined to engage with the allegations and described the attacks as politically motivated, calling himself a target because of policy success.
• CIAN Agro Industries, run by Nikhil Gadkari, reported revenue jumping from Rs 17.47 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs 510.8 crore in Q1 FY26, with profits above Rs 52 crore and its BSE share price rising to Rs 2,023 from Rs 172 a year earlier.
• The controversy intensified after widespread complaints on social media about lower mileage and fears over older engines following the nationwide rollout of 20% ethanol-blended petrol.
• The government had recently proclaimed achieving the 20% blending target ahead of schedule, positioning ethanol as a way to cut oil imports and support farmers.
• Gadkari cited massive outflows on fossil fuel imports and said vested interests were angered, while also promoting plans to scale biofuels and explore ethanol exports.