Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and all Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs paid tribute to former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia during the ongoing budget session of the Delhi Assembly, marking the one-year anniversary of his arrest.
Addressing the assembly, Kejriwal reminisced, “He (Sisodia) used to sit here. One year ago, he was arrested in a false case on the same day. We will not show our sorrow because we are proud of him. He revolutionized the education system in Delhi, which did not happen in the last 75 years. I request you all to stand up and salute to Sisodia.”
Sisodia was apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on February 26, 2023, in connection with alleged corruption related to the now-defunct Delhi liquor policy.
During the session, Kejriwal reiterated the success of Delhi’s governance model in the education and health sectors. He criticized the Ayushman Bharat scheme as a “big scam” and emphasized Delhi’s commitment to providing free healthcare to all citizens regardless of their socio-economic background.
Kejriwal challenged the efficacy of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, highlighting its limitations in providing comprehensive healthcare coverage. He questioned the necessity for Delhi to adopt the scheme, emphasizing the city’s robust healthcare infrastructure.
The Chief Minister lauded Delhi’s governance model, touting its achievements in education and healthcare. He claimed that AAP’s efforts had led to significant improvements in the education sector, including the enrollment of hundreds of thousands of students from private schools into government institutions.
Kejriwal took aim at BJP-ruled Gujarat, alleging the closure of thousands of government schools in the state. He also criticized BJP-led states for facing power shortages while highlighting Delhi’s provision of free electricity to its residents.
In response, Leader of Opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri accused the Delhi government of neglecting various sectors despite a substantial increase in the budget over the past nine years. Bidhuri highlighted shortages of teachers and doctors in government institutions, calling attention to the declining conditions in several sectors.
The session underscored the political discourse surrounding governance and development priorities in the national capital, reflecting contrasting viewpoints on the efficacy of policies and programs implemented by the AAP government.