'BJP Fears Kejriwal For Doing In 8 Years What They Couldn't In 20': Ex-Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia

New Delhi: Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, while participating in a 'padyatra' in the Deoli assembly constituency, asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) harbors grievances against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal because he has achieved in eight years what BJP-led governments have failed to accomplish in two decades. 

The BJP has a problem with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal because he did as much work in eight years that their governments could not do in 20, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said on Sunday. Sisodia, a key figure in Kejriwal's administration, recently released on bail after spending 17 months in jail in connection with the excise policy case, praised Kejriwal for his transformative work in education, healthcare, and reducing electricity bills in Delhi, claiming these achievements have instilled fear in the BJP.

Sisodia, who was taking part in a 'padyatra' in the Deoli assembly constituency, said Kejriwal was popular in the entire country because he built schools. A trusted lieutenant of Kejriwal, the former deputy chief minister walked out of jail on August 9 on bail after spending 17 months behind bars in connection with the excise policy case. "Arvind Kejriwal is the only chief minister who has brought down electricity bills to zero while electricity is getting expensive in the rest of the world and the country. He created a system of free treatment in government hospitals," Sisodia said. He also highlighted the various welfare initiatives of the Delhi government.

"The BJP has a problem that Arvind Kejriwal did so much work in his seven-eight years that chief ministers of BJP-ruled states could not do even during their 20 years' rule. There is not a single state in the country where they have made electricity bills zero or improved government schools. That is why these people are afraid of Arvind Kejriwal. That is why they put Kejriwal in jail," he alleged. Sisodia also expressed hope that Kejriwal would also come out of jail soon. 

"You people should also pray for him," the senior AAP leader said. AAP national convenor Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21 in a money-laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. The Supreme Court granted him interim bail but he remains in jail as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested him in a related matter. During the 'padyatra', some women and girls tied rakhi on Sisodia's wrist while some garlanded him. Slogans hailing him and Kejriwal were also raised.