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Poonawalla vs Poonawalla: Shehzad takes on brother Tehseen over sugar scam claims, jibes at ‘jannayak’ Rahul Gandhi
The spat between the brothers began with Tehseen alleging that the ‘sugar scam’ is impacting the citizens as they have to pay higher prices for sugar.
Rising sugar prices in India seem to have further soured the relations between Poonawallah brothers after Shehzad, who recently resigned from the BJP, took a jibe at brother Tehseen over his ‘sugar scam’ remark on X.
The fresh online spat between the brothers began with Tehseen alleging that the ‘sugar scam’ is impacting the citizens as they have to pay higher prices for sugar, while ethanol in petrol is destroying the vehicles.
“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!!,” Tehseen wrote in a post on X.
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’.
Surging sugar prices, Centre's response
Sugar prices in India have seen a gradual uptick recently, with retail prices rising from ₹48.18 per kg on July 20 to ₹58.20 per kg on August 21, according to data from the consumer affairs ministry’s price portal. The price surge has prompted the government to step up measures to curb hoarding and allow sugar imports for the first time in nearly a decade to augment domestic availability ahead of the festive season.
Also read: Sugar prices jump from ₹50 to ₹70/kg in just one week
The government on Friday clarified that the surge in prices cannot be attributed to the diversion of sugar for ethanol, pointing instead to lower-than-expected domestic production, higher festive-season demand, and weather-related crop damage.
According to an official release, the share of sugar diverted for ethanol has declined from around 12% of production in 2022-23 to about 9% in 2025-26 as output dropped. Nearly three-fourths of ethanol produced in India now comes from grains, particularly maize, the government stated.
Congress attacks Centre
Slamming the government over the rising sugar prices, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Saturday argued that current inflation has "broken the back" of the common man due to the wrong policies of the Centre. He noted that the recent rise in prices has not only shaken the budget of ordinary households but has also impacted "the plate and daily expenses" of the public.
"From soap to cars, from spices to flour, rice, sugar, and oil, inflation has broken the back of the common man. Due to the Modi government's wrong policies, common people are being crushed in the mill of inflation, and the middle class's household budget has completely gone haywire. Incomes are limited, but kitchen expenses keep rising every month. The direct impact of inflation is now falling on the common man's plate and daily expenses," said Jairam Ramesh.
Ramesh further questioned the silence of the Central government over rising prices, describing the administration as "arrogant" and "indifferent."
"Looking at price increases over the past month, flour (aata) has risen from ₹32 to ₹40/kg, rice from ₹42 to ₹54/kg, cumin (jeera) from ₹180 to ₹380/kg, turmeric (haldi) from ₹130 to ₹260/kg, mustard oil from ₹165 to ₹200/kg, groundnut oil from ₹170 to ₹230/kg, refined oil from ₹130 to ₹190/kg, and sugar has become up to 40% more expensive in just two months. And it's not just about the kitchen. From daily essentials like soap, detergent, toothpaste, and biscuits to tires and cars, prices keep rising continuously. Life has become difficult for the common man, but the arrogant and indifferent Modi government is sleeping peacefully. No attempt is being made to control inflation. Modi-ji, remember that the public knows everything and will not forgive," Ramesh added.
In an earlier attack on the Centre on Friday over the implementation of 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol (E20), Ramesh alleged that the Modi government's decisions had made both food and travel more expensive for the public.
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot also made a sharp attack on the Centre saying that increased ethanol blending in petrol was pushing up sugar prices and imposing an additional financial burden on people.
Gehlot claimed that a significant share of sugarcane was being diverted from sugar production towards ethanol, reducing the availability of sugar in the market.
"In just 15 days, sugar prices have surged by ₹14-17 per kg," the Congress leader said in a statement, cited by news agency PTI.
He also claimed that increased ethanol blending was affecting vehicle engines and reducing mileage, thereby adding to the expenses of vehicle owners.
"This amounts to nothing less than a direct assault on the hard-earned money of the common people," Gehlot said.
