Manish Sisodia: A Profile of Delhi’s Former Deputy Chief Minister

Manish Sisodia, an influential politician and journalist, has been a significant figure in Delhi’s political landscape. Born on January 5, 1972, in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, he rose from humble beginnings to become the first Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, serving from 2015 until his resignation in 2023. As a founding member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Sisodia has left a lasting impact on the governance and public education system of India’s capital.

Early Life and Education

Manish Sisodia was born in a Hindu Rajput family in Phagauta village, Hapur district. His father was a public school teacher. Sisodia attended government school in his village before pursuing a diploma in journalism from the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in 1993. His early career involved working as a radio jockey and a journalist at Zee News, among other media roles.

Political Journey and Positions Held

Manish Sisodia is one of the founding members of the Aam Aadmi Party and serves as a member of its National Executive Committee. He was elected to the Delhi Legislative Assembly from the Patparganj constituency in 2013, reaffirmed his mandate in 2015 and 2020. His political career is marked by his appointment as the first Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi in February 2015, a role he held through three consecutive Kejriwal ministries until February 2023.

Cabinet Responsibilities and Contributions

During his tenure, Sisodia held a wide portfolio of ministries including Finance, Education, Labour, Public Works Department (PWD), Tourism, Planning, Land & Building, Vigilance, Services, Art, Culture, and Language. He is widely credited for initiating sweeping reforms in Delhi’s public education sector, aiming to increase the quality and accessibility of education.

Education Reform Initiatives

Manish Sisodia envisioned transforming Delhi’s education system by allocating one-quarter of the Delhi government’s budget to education – the highest proportion in any Indian state. His reforms included reconstructing school infrastructure, implementing new curricula like the Happiness Curriculum, Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum, and Deshbhakti Curriculum designed to inculcate values and skills in students.

Under his leadership, programs like Mission Buniyaad focused on foundational learning, while Business Blasters empowered students as young entrepreneurs. Sisodia’s efforts have earned international recognition, with invitations to present Delhi’s education model at forums in Harvard, Moscow, Dubai, and London.

Economic Reforms and Budget Management

Besides education, as Finance Minister, Sisodia played a key role in expanding Delhi’s budget from ₹30,940 crores in 2014-15 to ₹75,800 crores in 2022-23. His effort to improve tax compliance and curb corruption expanded the government’s resources, allowing increased social spending. Notably, he introduced Delhi’s Outcome Budget linking expenditures to performance indicators, enhancing accountability.

Controversies and Legal Challenges

Manish Sisodia faced allegations related to the misappropriation of funds in some Delhi University colleges as well as accusations of corruption in the Delhi liquor policy scam. These charges led to his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation in February 2023 and subsequent resignation from his ministerial posts.

Despite the serious allegations, Sisodia and his party have maintained that these are politically motivated attempts to target opposition. In August 2024, the Supreme Court of India granted him bail, calling attention to delays in the legal process.

Awards and Recognition

Electoral Performance Overview

Legacy and Impact

Manish Sisodia’s initiatives in education and governance have been recognized both nationally and internationally, making him a key player in Delhi’s political and social reforms. His work in reshaping public education into a more inclusive and innovative system has been a model for other states. Despite the controversies surrounding his career, Sisodia’s efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in government finance and public services have contributed to reshaping governance in Delhi.

His story reflects the challenges and complexities of Indian politics, especially for reformist leaders working to transform long-standing systems. As of 2024, he remains a prominent political figure associated with the Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi’s political discourse.