New Delhi : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) gained a significant boost on Friday when the Supreme Court granted bail to Manish Sisodia, a founding member of the party and its former Deputy Chief Minister. The decision came soon after a Delhi court extended the judicial custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until August 20 in the same case.
Sisodia, who was accused of providing kickbacks to liquor vendors under the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, had been in jail for nearly 18 months. The Supreme Court granted him bail, citing delays by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in commencing the trial. His release follows a similar development for AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who was also detained in connection with the same case. The release of these two senior leaders significantly bolsters AAP’s position and challenges the BJP’s narrative that the party, which rose to power on an anti-corruption platform, is now mired in corruption itself.
The release of Sisodia is particularly important for AAP due to his key role within the party. As the second-in-command to party leader Arvind Kejriwal, Sisodia’s return is expected to rejuvenate the party, especially with the Delhi elections on the horizon. Sisodia’s importance to both the party and the Delhi government is underscored by the fact that he was managing 18 departments at the time of his arrest in February last year. He is widely recognized as the architect of AAP’s development agenda, particularly in the areas of education and health, where he played a pivotal role in transforming Delhi’s infrastructure.
Beyond his influence in Delhi, Sisodia is also seen as vital to AAP’s national expansion strategy. The party has already made significant gains in states like Punjab, where it formed a government, and is now focused on extending its influence in other states. Haryana, which is set to hold elections this year, is a key target, with AAP planning to contest all 90 Assembly seats. The party has already promised to extend its five core guarantees—free electricity, medical treatment, education, a monthly stipend for women, and employment for youth—if it secures power in the state.
The Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail to Sisodia was met with widespread celebration among AAP leaders. Sanjay Singh, who was recently released in the same case, hailed the decision as a victory for truth and justice, describing the charges against Sisodia as baseless and politically motivated. He also expressed hope that Kejriwal and former minister Satyendra Jain, who are also in custody, would soon be released.
Prominent AAP leaders took to social media to express their relief and gratitude. Atishi, a key leader in the party, tweeted, “Truth prevails,” while MP Raghav Chadha praised Sisodia as the hero of Delhi’s education revolution. Chadha expressed deep gratitude to the Supreme Court, noting that Sisodia’s only crime was his efforts to secure a better future for Delhi’s children.
Sisodia’s bail has provided a much-needed morale boost for AAP as it gears up for the upcoming elections. The party has reaffirmed its commitment to its core values and remains determined to counter the BJP’s narrative. Sisodia’s release not only strengthens the party’s internal unity but also enhances its ability to challenge its political rivals in the crucial months ahead.
