Is the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) trying to build up a frenzy around the arrest of one of its key leaders and former Delhi Deputy Chief minister Manish Sisodia?
The main opposition party in the Delhi assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), suggested that students from Delhi government schools try to drum up sympathy for Sisodia by making posters in support of the former Delhi education minister.
While the AAP leaders hail the move and are quick to share pictures of posters made by the students, BJP leaders in Delhi have claimed that it was done forcefully.
Sisodia is in the 5-day custody of the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) for his alleged involvement in the Delhi Excise Policy Scam. He will be produced at the CBI court on Saturday.
Atishi, an AAP MLA from Kalkaji, on Friday, March 3, shared some posters and drawings made by some schoolchildren. While sharing the photos, Atishi said, “BJP people: No matter how many false allegations you make, the love of Delhi children for Manish Sisodia is something you cannot shake.”
A picture of some schoolchildren carrying handmade posters with the words “Manish Sisodia uncle, we miss you”, was also shared by Atishi.
AAP chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj also shared a note written by a class 2 student stating, “Why Manish Sisodia sir was sent to jail?”
Some AAP leaders also set up desks outside government schools where interested children made posters in solidarity with Manish Sisodia.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government said, “There is no involvement of any government department or government employee in any such activity.”
The BJP leaders, however, claimed that the schoolchildren were forced to make such posters in the schools.
BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga tweeted, “I got a call from the parents of Delhi government school kids. They said their kids are getting threats from the school administration. The school will fail their kids if they do not create a drawing in support of Manish Sisodia.”
Another BJP leader, Kapil Mishra, came up with some handwritten notes, which were stated to be written by children, against Manish Sisodia.
Mishra said, “Small children from schools all over Delhi are saying, Manish Sisodia ji, stop shamelessly hiding your misdeeds and sins in the name of children. If you don’t take a bribe, then you don’t have to go to jail. Read some letters.”
The latest development holds significance as it came a day before the CBI produced Sisodia in court after the end of the 5-day custody. While AAP will leave no stone unturned in defence of one of its key leaders, the BJP seems to be in no mood to let the momentum slip from its hands.