'Work Should Not Suffer': AAP To Induct 2 New Ministers In Delhi Cabinet As Sisodia, Jain Resign

According to sources the 18 portfolios held by Manish Sisodia will likely be distributed between Aam Aadmi Party leaders Kailash Gahlot and Raaj Kumar Anand.  

AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj addresses the press on Tuesday.

Following the resignation of Delhi's Cabinet members Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain due to corruption allegations against them, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced that two new ministers will be appointed soon. AAP's national spokesperson, Saurabh Bhardwaj, stated that most of the important departments in the small Delhi Cabinet were handled by Sisodia and Jain, and the appointment of new ministers was necessary to avoid delays in the government's work.

Bhardwaj also accused the Centre of targeting state governments that work tirelessly for development and called the situation unfortunate. He said that both Sisodia and Jain are known across the world for their public work, whic is why the BJP-led Centre had targeted them in false cases. "This is not a good sign... Sisodia and Jain are honest and hard working ministers and every member of the Aam Aadmi Party stands behind them," Bharadwaj said.    

Sisodia was arrested on Sunday by the CBI in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the liquor policy for 2021-22. On the other hand, Jain is currently in Tihar Jail for an alleged money laundering case.

Citing AAP sources, news ANI reported that the 18 portfolios held by Manish Sisodia will likely be distributed between Aam Aadmi Party leaders Kailash Gahlot and Raaj Kumar Anand.  

Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court declined to hear the bail plea of Manish Sisodia. The bench, comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha, refused to intervene in Sisodia's case and asked him to avail himself of alternative remedies. The Aam Aadmi Party said that it would move Delhi High Court over Sisodia's arrest.

In his resignation letter to to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia wrote: "No power in world can make me do anything in a dishonest manner... unfortunate that corruption allegations are levelled against me after working with honesty for eight years."

“Several FIRs have been registered against me and more are in the offing. They left no stone unturned to ensure that I leave you. I was threatened and even offered bribe, but I did not relent. As a result, they arrested me for not bowing before them”, Sisodia's letter further read.

“I am not scared of their jails and am not the first person to be arrested for following the path of truth. I have read countless stories of people who fought against the British and were jailed on false charges. Some were even hanged till death," he added.