Manish Sisodia says he'll return as Delhi deputy CM only if...

Sisodia says he'll return as Delhi deputy CM only if...
15 Sep 2024

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia has stated that he will not return to his position as Delhi deputy chief minister and education minister until the public approves of his honesty.

This announcement came shortly after Arvind Kejriwal declared his intention to resign as Delhi's chief minister within two days.

Both leaders are currently out on bail in a corruption case related to the Delhi government's now-scrapped liquor policy.

Sisodia's release and resignation
Legal proceedings

"I have also decided that I will go to the public court along with Kejriwal ji and ask whether the public considers me honest or not..Only if the public approves my honesty, I will sit on the chair of Deputy Chief Minister-Education Minister and work for education," he said.

Sisodia was released from Tihar Jail on August 9 after spending 17 months in jail due to his alleged involvement in the Delhi liquor policy scam.

Sisodia's public appeal and future political plans
Public appeal

He had resigned from his positions shortly after his arrest in February 2023, but remained an MLA.

He said that he worked honestly before his arrest, but "petty politics" attempted to discredit him by making false accusations.

"After two years of legal process, now even the country's top court has told me to go and do my work. But I will not sit on the chair of deputy CM...I did not come into politics for the greed of..posts," he added.

Sisodia's future political prospects and ministerial restrictions
Political future

Sisodia's voluntary resignation from his constitutional posts in the Delhi cabinet means he cannot hold any ministerial positions until he is sworn in again.

The next opportunity for this could be during the assembly elections of Delhi, scheduled to take place on or before February 2025.

An official announcement regarding these elections is still awaited from the Election Commission of India.