Manish Sisodia's Padyatra Garners Support Amid Kejriwal's Imprisonment

Former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia leads a padyatra, receiving public support and expressing hope for CM Arvind Kejriwal's release. Kejriwal was arrested in a money laundering probe linked to the Delhi excise policy. Assembly polls are upcoming in 2025, with AAP currently holding 62 seats.

Former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia on Wednesday announced that the party is receiving significant public support during their 'padyatra'. Sisodia expressed optimism that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will soon be released from jail. "We are receiving a lot of love during the padyatra. We are hopeful that CM Arvind Kejriwal will also return soon. As soon as he returns all the pending works of the people will be done soon," Sisodia stated in an interview with ANI.

Arvind Kejriwal was detained by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 concerning a money laundering investigation related to alleged irregularities in the now-revoked Delhi excise policy 2021-22. Last week, Manish Sisodia commenced his 'padyatra', re-engaging with the public after 17 months of incarceration.

In February 2023, the Central Bureau of Investigation apprehended Sisodia over alleged misconduct in creating and implementing Delhi's new excise policy, which has since been scrapped amid opposition claims of corruption. According to the CBI, Sisodia was a central figure in the purported criminal conspiracy, deeply involved in both the formulation and execution of the policy. With Delhi assembly polls anticipated in early 2025, the AAP's current standing boasts 62 out of 70 seats, while the BJP holds eight, and Congress failed to secure any seats in the 2020 elections.

(With inputs from agencies.)