Nagpur

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday dismissed allegations linking him to controversies over ethanol blending, calling them the work of powerful import lobbies affected by his policies. Speaking at a public event, Gadkari compared himself to a fruit-bearing tree, saying such trees are often stoned. He emphasised that his focus remains on promoting ethanol blending, empowering farmers as energy producers, and reducing pollution, which has disrupted vested interests in fossil fuel imports.

About Rs 22 lakh crore were going abroad for fossil fuel imports. Their businesses got affected, and they started paid news against me, he said. Gadkari stressed that he has never taken any money from contractors, which makes him a target for political attacks. He added that false allegations are part of politics, but he will continue focusing on his work.

The controversy intensified after CIAN Agro Industries, run by Gadkari’s son Nikhil Gadkari, reported a dramatic rise in revenue and profits following the government’s 20% ethanol blending mandate. Revenue surged from Rs 17.47 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs 510.8 crore in Q1 FY26, while profits rose to over Rs 52 crore. The company’s share price jumped from Rs 172 to Rs 2,023 on the BSE over the past year.

Analysts noted that the growth came not only from ethanol sales but also from other income and new business ventures. Gadkari reiterated that his focus remains on national energy security and sustainable fuel policies, insisting that such allegations will not distract him from his work.