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Shehzad Poonawalla took a swipe at his brother Tehseen Poonawalla over his remarks linking rising sugar prices to the Centre’s ethanol-blending policy, while also targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Tehseen had alleged that the “sugar scam” was hurting consumers as sugar prices rise, while E20 petrol was damaging vehicles. His remarks came amid a recent increase in sugar prices in India.

Retail sugar prices rose from Rs 48.18 per kg on July 20 to Rs 58.20 per kg on August 21, according to data from the Consumer Affairs Ministry’s price portal. The Centre has stepped up measures against hoarding and allowed sugar imports to boost domestic availability ahead of the festive season.

In a post on X, Tehseen said, "The Sugar Scam is the most bitter Scam in INDIA ! Making sons of netas become millionaires while the common citizen pays more for Sugar & due to E20 their vehicles are destroyed!!”

Shehzad took a jibe at Tehseen over this and also made a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying that he is not fit to ‘even be a booth level leader’.

Dearest Tehseen,

Asking for a friend: Is your pal Rahul Gandhi a beneficiary of “Beta Badhao” yojana? Since you made this about netas children..

Why so selective ?? What merit does Rahul Gandhi have. He is not fit to even be a booth level leader. How he is JANNAYAK? https://t.co/NMW6fMoL3z

— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) August 23, 2026

Centre Rejects Ethanol Link

The Centre on Friday said the rise in sugar prices could not be attributed to the diversion of sugar for ethanol production. It cited lower-than-expected domestic output, higher festive-season demand and weather-related crop damage as the reasons for the increase.

According to the government, the share of sugar diverted for ethanol fell from around 12% of production in 2022-23 to about 9% in 2025-26. It also said nearly three-fourths of ethanol produced in India now comes from grains, particularly maize.

Congress Targets Centre Over Inflation

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh criticised the government over rising prices, saying inflation had placed a growing burden on ordinary households and affected their daily expenses.

Ramesh listed increases in the prices of several essential commodities, including flour, rice, cumin, turmeric, cooking oils and sugar. He also alleged that prices of everyday products, tyres and cars had continued to rise.

Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot also criticised the Centre over E20 petrol, claiming that increased ethanol blending was contributing to higher sugar prices by diverting sugarcane towards ethanol production.

Gehlot further alleged that higher ethanol blending was affecting vehicle mileage and engine performance, adding to the financial burden on consumers.