Manish Sisodia to Lead AAP’s Assembly Poll Campaign in Delhi, Haryana as Arvind Kejriwal Faces Jail Time

New Delhi:

Amidst Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal’s incarceration, his close ally and former deputy Manish Sisodia has assumed control of the party’s campaign for the upcoming elections in the capital region and Haryana.

Mr Sisodia, who has been released on bail by the Supreme Court in corruption and financial crime cases related to the Delhi alcohol policy issue, is set to convene a meeting with senior party officials today.

The 52-year-old exited Tihar jail on Friday after spending 17 months in custody, providing a boost to the AAP, which is striving to recover from the setback caused by the imprisonment of its leader, Mr Kejriwal, in connection to an alleged alcohol policy scandal.

The gathering of AAP leaders is scheduled to occur at 6 pm at Mr Sisodia’s residence.

The assembly elections in Haryana, where the AAP has declared its intention to compete for all 90 assembly seats, are slated for later this year, while the polls in Delhi’s 70 constituencies are anticipated to take place at the beginning of 2025.

Manish Sisodia Plays a Crucial Role in AAP

Manish Sisodia, the former deputy chief minister of Delhi, has been the pivotal figure in the growth of the AAP since its establishment following the 2011 anti-corruption movement.

The AAP acknowledges Mr Sisodia for his significant role in shaping the diverse governance framework of Delhi and transforming the educational system of government schools in the city.

Prior to relinquishing his cabinet duties, he oversaw 18 important portfolios, including education, finance, urban planning, vigilance, women and child welfare, as well as culture and language, among others.

However, he resigned from the Delhi cabinet on February 28, 2023, just two days after being detained by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for alleged misconduct in the development and execution of the now-defunct Delhi alcohol policy for 2021-22.

Mr Sisodia has been successful in the Delhi assembly elections on three occasions, securing the Patparganj constituency in East Delhi.