New Delhi:
With Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain jailed in corruption cases, Delhi may soon get two new ministers, sources have said.
The Arvind Kejriwal government may make the appointments after President Droupadi Murmu approves the resignation of Mr Sisodia and Mr Jain, the sources added.
Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia, who held charge of as many as 18 departments, and Health Minister Jain stepped down last evening. The resignations came hours after Supreme Court refused relief to Mr Sisodia and asked him to challenge his arrest in the liquor policy case in Delhi High Court.
The BJP had been questioning why the two ministers continue to hold cabinet berths despite being arrested in corruption cases.
The AAP yesterday stressed that the resignations were not an acceptance of guilt and described it as an “administrative step”.
For now, Delhi minister Raaj Kumar Anand will be handling the departments of education and health, AAP’s key focus areas. Kailash Gahlot will look after the vital power and water supply departments.
Mr Sisodia, who was arrested on Sunday over allegations of corruption in the liquor policy case, said he could be in jail for “7-8 months”.
“I am stepping away till the charges against me are proven false,” he wrote in his resignation.
“There are likely to be more cases against me… God knows these allegations are false,” he said, and stressed that he has been charged with corruption despite working honestly for the past eight years.
The AAP Number Two, credited with revamping Delhi’s government schools, is currently in the CBI’s custody.
Mr Jain has been in jail since in arrest in May last in a money laundering case. He is currently in judicial custody.
The Constitution provides for a maximum of seven ministers for Delhi — 10 per cent of the total number of 70 Assembly seats.
Source link: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/after-manish-sisodia-satyendar-jain-step-down-delhi-likely-to-get-two-new-ministers-sources-3823571