Patparganj will vote for me: Manish Sisodia

Sisodia talks to The Hindu about Kiran Bedi’s arrival on the Delhi’s political scene

File photo of Manish Sisodia.

Former Delhi Minister Manish Sisodia is contesting from the Patparganj constituency in East Delhi for the second time. Often seen as number two in the Aam Aadmi Party ranks, Mr. Sisodia talks to The Hindu about Kiran Bedi’s arrival on the Delhi’s political scene, his chances and the issues the AAP faces.

How has Kiran Bedi’s introduction as the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate affected your campaign?

I think it has only helped us since Ms. Bedi has aligned herself with people whom she had been questioning all along. A woman herself, she is in a party whose leaders demand a ban on women wearing jeans and ask them to produce ten children. It’s a question of credibility for her, not us.

But don’t you think that her induction into the BJP has given an impetus to the party; a party you called leaderless?

On the contrary, I feel that her jumping into the fray has triggered infighting within the BJP, which will make it lose ground.

But Ms. Bedi has admirers in your own party. Shanti Bhushan praised her and was critical of your party’s leadership and the manner in which AAP tickets were distributed.

The Lokpal is the final authority for raising all such issues. Questions were raised on two candidates and the Lokpal found that the allegations against them were true. We replaced both.

How do you rate your performance as an MLA from Patparganj?

I am satisfied and confident that people of Patparganj would vote for me again. My achievements have been many, but one area that I think was the highlight of my one-year tenure was bringing transparency in utilisation of MLA funds.

Do you think U.S. President Barack Obama as the guest of honour at Republic Day celebrations, who is perceived to share a good rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would have any impact on the mindset of middle class voters?

I don’t think so. The regressive statements made by his party leaders show they are setting a divisive agenda and domestic issues are more important than anything else. Plus, we all saw that few people turned out for Mr. Modi’s Ramlila Maidan rally.