New Delhi: On February 26, 2023, Manish Sisodia, then the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over allegations related to the excise policy. At that time, he was the second most powerful figure in both the Delhi government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), following closely behind Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Seventeen months later, while Sisodia remains a central figure within AAP, his official roles have shifted significantly. He was compelled to resign from his ministerial position, and now his only formal title is that of the MLA representing Patparganj.
Despite these challenges, AAP views Sisodia’s release from jail as a potential turning point for the party, particularly as Delhi’s assembly elections approach. Sisodia, who visited the AAP headquarters on Saturday, wasted no time in returning to his old, assertive style. He launched a scathing attack on the central government, accusing it of trying to tarnish the image of AAP and its leaders to distract the public from more pressing issues. He assured supporters that these efforts by the BJP-led central government would not succeed.
Sisodia also made it clear that he would not be stepping back from political life. He announced plans to engage directly with the public, going door to door to explain why AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, were targeted. According to Sisodia, these arrests are less about corruption and more about stifling the growth and influence of AAP. His speech conveyed a sense of urgency and readiness to mobilize for the upcoming elections, signaling that his return is not just symbolic but also strategic.
Manish Sisodia is one of the founding members of AAP and played a crucial role in shaping the party’s policies on education, healthcare, and other social services that have been central to its governance in Delhi. Within the party, Sisodia is widely respected and seen as a leader under whom all factions can unite. As elections loom in Delhi and Haryana, Sisodia’s priority is to strengthen the party’s position in these states, preparing strategies that could be pivotal in the upcoming contests.
Party insiders reveal that important meetings are scheduled in the coming week to finalize the party’s strategy and determine Sisodia’s specific role. A key question remains whether Sisodia will rejoin the Delhi government in an official capacity. While many within AAP hope to see him resume his duties as Deputy Chief Minister, this move would require the return of Arvind Kejriwal from jail and his subsequent approval to reinstate Sisodia in the cabinet.
Legally, the Delhi government can have a maximum of seven ministers, including the Chief Minister, as per Article 239AA of the Indian Constitution. The Delhi Assembly has 70 members, and thus, the cabinet cannot exceed 10 percent of this number. Following Kejriwal’s arrest, Delhi Minister Raj Kumar Anand resigned, leaving a vacancy in the cabinet. This opens the door for Sisodia’s potential return to the cabinet, should the party decide to move in that direction.
As AAP prepares for crucial elections, Sisodia’s reentry into the political arena is seen as a significant boost for the party. His experience, coupled with the respect he commands within AAP, positions him as a key figure in the party’s strategy to navigate the challenging political landscape ahead.
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