AAP, refuting the charges, accuses the Narendra Modi government of using the CBI for political vendetta. Sisodia is the second minister in Kejriwal's cabinet to be arrested by a central agency. Last June, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Satyendar Jain, another heavyweight minister, in an alleged money-laundering case. He has been in jail since; Sisodia, in his own words, may be behind bars for 6-7 months too. Both ministers have tendered their resignations. Sisodia is also being probed by the CBI for allegedly setting up a 'feedback unit' to collect political intelligence against AAP's rivals in 2015. As the ministry of home affairs (MHA) sanctioned his prosecution in that case last fortnight under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Delhi politics already seemed headed for a heated summer. The arrest now seals that.
The immediate impact will be on Delhi's administration. Sisodia headed 18 of its 33 departments, including the crucial portfolios of finance, education, home, health and public works-the last three being added after Jain's arrest. A key challenge for the AAP government will come with the 2023-24 budget, due later this month. Sisodia, who has tabled eight consecutive AAP government budgets since 2015, has prepared the budget; it will now be presented by revenue minister Kailash Gahlot, who has been given charge of finance. Sisodia's budgets have been the driving force behind Kejriwal's Delhi model, which revolves around three principle affordable healthcare and education, free electricity and water, and generation of enough revenue to fund these schemes. It's a model that has helped AAP consolidate its votebank amongst the lower and lower middle class, helping win Delhi for two consecutive terms, and one that propelled it to a win in Punjab.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Queer Quartet
National Award-winning filmmaker Onir has taken several creative leaps with his queer romance, We Are Faheem & Karun
Changing the Narrative
In an ambitious new touring exhibition across India, veteran photographer Dayanita Singh pushes the boundaries of how we experience images
INDIA'S SPAM WAR
AS UNSOLICITED CALLS AND MESSAGES INUNDATE CELLPHONES, NEW TECH SOLUTIONS AND REGULATIONS AIM TO COUNTER THIS INVASIVE DIGITAL EPIDEMIC. BUT IT'S STILL A LONG HAUL
LALU'S OLIVE BRANCH GAMBIT
Winter may be intensifying in Bihar but the state's political climate is anything but cool.
IN THE PRODUCER'S SEAT
Actor Richa Chadha on being a first-time producer with Girls Will Be Girls, which released recently on Prime Video, and being a new mother
SPRING IN THEIR SETS
The upcoming Spring 2025 Season of the Symphony Orchestra of India at NCPA, Mumbai-headlined by Maestro Zubin Mehta and Sir Mark Elder-promises a host of international performers
SAFFRON'S CROSS CONNECTION
THE BJP REALISES THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IS CRUCIAL FOR THE PARTY TO MAKE A BREAKTHROUGH IN KERALA. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS ALSO AWARE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT
BURNING RESISTANCE
The 337 tonnes of toxic waste from the abandoned Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, awaiting disposal for four decades, has hit a roadblock.
VIRAL FEAR RISES ANEW
The fear is not an irrational one-it's just the other day that the spectre of Covid-19 was harassing the whole world. So as China reports a spike in respiratory illnesses, the memories of planetary disruption have come rushing back.
A PLUM PART
Tahir Raj Bhasin loved getting under the skin of Vikrant, the character he plays in Netflix's Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, whose second season is out now
