The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- Two digital campaigns on social media are putting pressure on the BJP government ahead of upcoming state elections.
- One, called 'E10 Lao' or 'say no to E20', involves vehicle owners who claim the government's E20 petrol policy (blending 20% ethanol) is damaging older engines, reducing mileage, and raising maintenance costs, affecting an estimated 20-25 crore vehicle owners.
- The other, an 'end reservation' campaign, is being pushed by digital content creators and urges supporters to flood the social media comment sections of the PM and ministers instead of protesting on the streets, a message the report says resonates with about 30% of the general-category population, especially youth frustrated over jobs and exam cut-offs.
- The report states the government has repeatedly called E20 claims misleading while staying silent on the reservation campaign, fearing a backlash from Dalit and OBC voters, and warns both issues could disrupt the BJP's urban middle-class vote base before state polls.
What to watch next
- Whether the petroleum ministry, which invited the 'Team Bharat' campaigners for talks, agrees to demands like making E10 petrol available for older vehicles or cutting E20 prices by 20%
- Whether the government takes legal action against accounts posting anti-reservation content, as the report says it is inclined to do
- Whether the BJP breaks its silence on the reservation campaign or opposition parties use it to mobilise Dalit and OBC voters
Coverage1
1 report
Indian-language1
All filed from India
Named India · Aam Aadmi Party · Ajit Bharti · Anand Ranganathan · Anuradha Tiwari · Bharatiya Janata Party · Cockroach Janata Party · Harsh Dubey · Instagram · Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas · Narendra Modi · Nitin Gadkari · Team Bharat
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