Sisodia’s jail time might increase troubles for Kejriwal government

New Delhi: Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party’s second-highest leader Manish Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on Sunday evening. Sisodia, surrounded in the liquor scam, was arrested after questioning for 9 hours. Time will tell when Sisodia will get bail and when he will be able to come out of jail, but before appearing he himself expressed apprehension that he may have to stay inside for 8-10 months. If Sisodia does not get bail soon, then the challenges will increase for the Aam Aadmi Party government of Delhi.

Sisodia, who is said to be the right-hand man of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, was handling the responsibility of more than half the departments in the government. With the arrest of Sisodia, who looked after the work of 18 important departments including finance, education, health, employment, labor, the biggest question has arisen that who will now handle these responsibilities?

Kejriwal has been the Chief Minister of Delhi for 9 years, but he has No ministry has been kept. In such a situation, there is a possibility that Kejriwal may have to take over the work of some important ministries for the first time.

Political analysts believe that Arvind Kejriwal lacks options, but he would not like to take over Sisodia’s portfolios. The reason for this is that before 2024, he wants to expand the party at the national level. In such a situation, if he takes the responsibility of 18 departments of Sisodia, then he will not be able to give much time for the expansion plan.

If Kejriwal was able to make a place for the party by touring states like Punjab and Gujarat, it is mainly because Sisodia managed every work of the government in his absence.

Another way for Kejriwal is to reshuffle the cabinet. Sources say that the Chief Minister may hand over some departments to Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot. Another option could be cabinet expansion as well. However, for this, a minister will have to resign. It is believed that Satyendar Jain, who has been closed since May last year, may be asked to resign. Delhi’s budget is also going to be presented in the first or second week of March. In such a situation, Kejriwal may have to take a decision soon.