Manish Sisodia’s coming out of jail is not only a relief for him personally, it is an even bigger relief for Arvind Kejriwal – and at the moment the biggest relief is for the Aam Aadmi Party. If there is any place that is not going to make any difference, it is the Delhi government.
Before going to jail, Manish Sisodia used to be almost a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi. Technically he was the Deputy CM, but despite being the Chief Minister, since Arvind Kejriwal did not have any department, he had to look after almost everything.
Manish Sisodia had resigned after being arrested, but Arvind Kejriwal still remains the Chief Minister of Delhi. After Manish Sisodia went to jail, Arvind Kejriwal had given almost all his responsibilities to Atishi, and even then he did not take any portfolio with himself.
Manish Sisodia is coming back, but now everything has changed. Now he is just the MLA of his area. A few days after the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal, a letter from Manish Sisodia came to light.
Manish Sisodia had written a four-page letter addressed to the people of his area. From the date written on the letter, it was known that Manish Sisodia had written on March 15. Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by CBI on March 21, that is, the letter was written a week ago in which the most important thing was – ‘We will meet outside soon.’
It was written in the letter, ‘I missed everyone very much in the last one year… Everyone worked together very honestly… Just as everyone fought at the time of independence, in the same way we are fighting for good education and schools. ..Even after the British dictatorship, the dream of independence came true… Similarly, one day every child will get proper and good education… The British were also very proud of their power… The British also created havoc among the people by making false allegations. Used to keep him in jail… The British kept Gandhiji in jail for many years… The British also put Nelson Mandela in jail… These people are my inspiration and you all are my strength… Being a developed country It is very important to have a good education-school.
And in the end Sisodia had written, ‘See you soon outside… Shiksha Kranti Zindabad… Love you all.’
After Manish Sisodia’s bail was approved, Sunita Kejriwal wrote on social site X, ‘In God’s house there is delay, not darkness.’ Surely Sunita Kejriwal would have the same thing in her mind for her husband Arvind Kejriwal.
Manish Sisodia’s coming out in the absence of Arvind Kejriwal is important, but there are some questions too – and the biggest question is whether Manish Sisodia will be able to fill the void of Arvind Kejriwal to some extent?
1. Can’t be as effective as Kejriwal: Of course, Manish Sisodia has been number 2 in the Aam Aadmi Party and the party’s government in Delhi, but it is difficult for his words to have the same impact on people as Arvind Kejriwal.
If he had been the Deputy CM, he would have been as effective in government work as before, but Manish Sisodia may face some difficulties on the issue of organizational work or coordination with the opposition alliance.
People know and recognize Aam Aadmi Party only by the name of Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia has always been known as their strong ally, and people do not consider allies as leaders.
These things become more important at this time because elections are going to be held in Delhi after just 6 months – and returning to power is the biggest challenge for the Aam Aadmi Party at the moment. This work has become more difficult while Arvind Kejriwal is in jail.
It can also be said that Arvind Kejriwal was away during the Lok Sabha elections, but the Aam Aadmi Party could not get even a single seat. If someone thinks like this then he should not forget that the results of previous elections have also been similar. Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are not influenced by each other.
2. It is difficult to become Deputy CM again: The constitutional system is such that it is the Chief Minister who recommends cabinet reshuffle or extension to the Governor, in Delhi to the Lieutenant Governor. In such a situation, when Arvind Kejriwal is in jail, this does not seem possible in the current circumstances.
Even when Arvind Kejriwal came out on interim bail, he was not allowed to go to the office. Even in government files, signatures were allowed only where it was absolutely necessary as the Chief Minister to do so – then how could it be expected that from jail, Arvind Kejriwal would be able to recommend Manish Sisodia to the cabinet.
This is not such a case that a survey can be conducted to take the opinion of the people of Delhi on running the government from jail – this is possible only when the Lieutenant Governor or the court gives permission for it.
3. Will also have to fight the battle for supremacy: Sanjay Singh had gone to jail after Manish Sisodia and also left before. Since then he has been representing the party at various places in matters related to the party. Sanjay Singh has also been representing Aam Aadmi Party in the meetings of INDIA Block.
In between, an attempt was made to run a campaign on social media, in which there was a demand to make Sanjay Singh the Chief Minister in place of Arvind Kejriwal. Initially, even in the Swati Maliwal case, Sanjay Singh had taken a different political line from Arvind Kejriwal. However, later he was also seen with Arvind Kejriwal and Bibhav Kumar.
From Sanjay Singh’s attitude at that time, it was felt that he was trying to show his importance and strength. If the fight for supremacy is still going on in the party, then Manish Sisodia may have to struggle with such things also. Now Sanjay Singh’s status has increased so much that in the absence of Arvind Kejriwal, he has started feeling like two swords in one sheath regarding Manish Sisodia.
4. Can there be any role in Swati Maliwal case? If seen, Swati Maliwal case has become a thorn in the neck of Arvind Kejriwal. And this is not the same case where after accusing politicians of corruption, they get rid of them by apologizing.
Swati Maliwal’s reaction on Manish Sisodia getting bail is noteworthy. Swati Maliwal has written on
At a time when there is open enmity between Swati Maliwal and Arvind Kejriwal, this post of Swati Maliwal says a lot. For once, this post of Swati Maliwal can also be understood as a ceasefire offer.
After the incident of alleged assault at the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence, initially some people including Sanjay Singh had tried to intervene, but due to the adamance of both the parties, the talks broke down, and the matter reached the police station to the court.
Manish Sisodia, being in jail at the time of the incident, may play an important role in solving this case – and it seems at least that this is a case in which Manish Sisodia could prove effective even in the absence of Arvind Kejriwal.