Manish Sisodia, recently released from Tihar Jail where he spent 18 months in connection with the Delhi liquor scam, has jumped back into political action. Upon his release, Sisodia immediately took charge of the Delhi Assembly elections. He will lead a significant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) meeting at his residence today at 6 p.m., with top party leaders in attendance.
The key question now is whether Sisodia will return to a cabinet position and take on departmental responsibilities or focus solely on the AAP’s election strategy. His first move, starting with the party meeting, clearly signals his intention to drive the party’s campaign.
Sisodia, a trusted aide of AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal, came out of jail after the AAP’s eighth attempt to secure his release through petitions. His release followed seven failed attempts, with his arrest by the CBI on February 26, 2023. Sisodia had faced repeated denials of interim bail and had only received limited permission to meet his ailing wife last year.
Throughout his career, Sisodia has held multiple key roles. He played a crucial role in the AAP’s rise from the 2011 anti-corruption movement and served on the AAP’s Political Affairs Committee, its highest decision-making body. Before his arrest, Sisodia managed 18 important departments in the Delhi government, including education, finance, land and building planning, vigilance, women and child development, and art, culture, and languages.