The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended Manish Sisodia, the deputy chief minister of Delhi, on February 26 for his suspected participation in the now-defunct excise policy. Sisodia’s detention is a significant blow for Kejriwal’s party, planning to contest elections in multiple states, particularly Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka, after becoming a national political party in less than a decade.
Another AAP minister, Satyendar Jain, was detained by the Enforcement Directorate, a department under the BJP-led national govt, in May last year for participating in a money laundering case. Consequently, after Manish Sisodia’s imprisonment, both Delhi Government Ministers resigned on February 28.
Manish Sisodia’s pivotal position in the Aam Aadmi Party
Sisodia has stood by Kejriwal’s team since the beginning of his activism. Because the AAP’s more significant aim has always been for Kejriwal to oversee campaign strategy, rallies, and other political concerns, while Manish Sisodia will administer the Delhi government, Kejriwal has never possessed a ministry in the Delhi government. It is general knowledge in AAP power circles that Kejriwal would never say refuse if someone responds positively.
Sisodia oversaw 18 critical portfolios, including excise, education, finance, vigilance, and PWD. Following Satyendar Jain’s imprisonment by the Enforcement Directorate, Sisodia was given crucial responsibilities such as healthcare, infrastructure improvements, and water.
Challenges for Aam Aadmi Party
The first challenge for Kejriwal would be drafting the Delhi budget. Kejriwal would not appoint new ministers to supplant Satendra Jain and Manish Sisodia. Since Delhi is restricted to seven cabinet ministers, Kejriwal’s primary task will be government management.
Furthermore, without Sisodia, Kejriwal cannot successfully oversee the education department since the officials are not on the same page as the AAP administration, and no other AAP minister is qualified to manage this department. This is the outcome of growing disagreements with the lieutenant governor. Any losses to the school system will be irrevocable while Sisodia is absent.
The BJP’s Approach
A year ago, the entire excise policy debate was reportedly probed before the Gujarat assembly elections. The timing of this incident is noteworthy since the AAP’s politics started to alter in early 2022. At the start of 2022, the AAP secured a resounding victory in Punjab and established the government. Also, the party gained two legislative seats in Goa.
When Kejriwal announced that the AAP would run in the Gujarat elections, it was clear that he aspired to form a national party. The BJP aimed to surround Kejriwal on the topic of corruption, knowing that the AAP’s popular view is that it is a good party. If the BJP succeeds in sullying AAP’s credibility, the ramifications would be disastrous, and Kejriwal’s power will dwindle.
Heading To 2024
Sisodia’s imprisonment should act as a wake-up call to Kejriwal, who must recognise that the moment has arrived for his organisation to take a position against corruption. By rejecting claims of corruption, lack of transparency, suspected abuse of public funds, spying, and financial irregularities as “vengeance,” the party is unlikely to always be successful.
Without question, the BJP has successfully crafted a corruption narrative against the AAP. Similarly, to confront the BJP’s apparatus, Kejriwal would need to rethink his policies, as the AAP’s authenticity and originality are weakening.
