Manish Sisodia (born 5 January 1972) is an Indian politician, journalist, and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi. He was a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and played a key role in shaping the party's policies, particularly in education and governance. Sisodia served as a member of the Delhi Legislative Assembly from Patparganj and held various ministerial portfolios in the Delhi government from 2015 to 2023.
Early Life and Education
Manish Sisodia was born on 5 January 1972 in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India. He completed his diploma in journalism and began his career as a radio journalist. Before entering politics, he worked with All India Radio (AIR) and several television channels as a news producer and anchor.
Political Career
Association with Arvind Kejriwal and RTI Activism
Sisodia was actively involved in the Right to Information (RTI) movement along with Arvind Kejriwal. He was a founding member of the Public Cause Research Foundation and contributed to social activism before joining politics.
Formation of AAP and Electoral Success
In 2012, Sisodia became one of the founding members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He contested the 2013 Delhi Assembly elections from Patparganj and won, becoming an MLA. He retained his seat in the 2015 and 2020 elections with a significant margin.
Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi (2015–2023)
Sisodia was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi in 2015. He held key portfolios, including Education, Finance, Planning, Urban Development, and PWD. He was instrumental in revamping Delhi’s education system, introducing modern infrastructure in government schools, and implementing the “Happiness Curriculum” and “Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum”.
As Finance Minister, he presented multiple Delhi budgets, prioritizing education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Excise Policy Case and Resignation
In February 2023, Sisodia was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. He later resigned from his ministerial post following his arrest. The case remains under investigation, and his party has called it a politically motivated attack.
Personal Life
Manish Sisodia is married to Seema Sisodia, and they have a son. He has been known for his simple lifestyle and strong advocacy for education reforms.
Legacy and Impact
Sisodia is credited with transforming Delhi’s public school system and bringing educational reforms that received national and international recognition. His tenure as Education Minister is often highlighted as a benchmark for government school improvements in India.
See Also
Arvind Kejriwal
Aam Aadmi Party
Delhi Government Education Reforms
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Related Questions
1. Who is Manish Sisodia?
Manish Sisodia is an Indian politician, journalist, and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi. He was a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and played a significant role in education and governance reforms in Delhi.
2. What is Manish Sisodia’s educational background?
He studied journalism and started his career as a radio journalist, working with All India Radio (AIR) and various television channels before entering politics.
3. How did Manish Sisodia enter politics?
He was actively involved in social activism, particularly the Right to Information (RTI) movement, alongside Arvind Kejriwal. He later co-founded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2012 and won the Patparganj assembly seat in 2013.
4. What positions did Manish Sisodia hold in the Delhi government?
He served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi from 2015 to 2023. He also held key portfolios like Education, Finance, Planning, Urban Development, and PWD.
5. Why was Manish Sisodia arrested?
In February 2023, he was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with alleged irregularities in the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. His party, AAP, has called the case politically motivated.
i6. Has Manish Sisodia resigned from his post?
Yes, following his arrest in February 2023, he resigned as Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi.
7. What is Manish Sisodia’s personal life like?
He is married to Seema Sisodia and has a son. He is known for his simple lifestyle and dedication to education reforms.
