BJP Is The One Facing Anti-Incumbency Over Law And Order In Delhi... Not Us

MANISH SISODIA AAP LEADER AND FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER

- Somya Lakhani and Alok KN Mishra

NEW DELHI: Former Delhi deputy chief minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, who has shifted his constituency from Patparganj to Jangpura in the upcoming elections, says that the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has only raised the issue of Arvind Kejriwal's former official residence because they don't have any other issues to discuss. In an interview with HT, Sisodia spoke about the role he expects anti-incumbency to play in the elections, how Delhi's education model remains the AAP's main allure, and the tussle between the government and the LG. Edited excerpts:

AAP has replaced many incumbent MLAs this time. Why is that? Did you get a sense of anti-incumbency?

I don't know what people mean when they say "anti-incumbency". We have run the government for 10 years and the sense I get on the ground is that people are satisfied. They are happy that thanks to (Arvind) Kejriwal, it's become easier to live in Delhi-whether it's in the sphere of education or health or in terms of electricity bills. I was in Ashram colony in Jangpura, where residents told me that 10-15 years ago, they used to take water from tankers. But today they have pipelines. They come to me with the faith that we will get work done. Broadly, people think that Kejriwal's governance is improving their lives.

People are not angry with us or with Kejriwal. In fact, people are angry with the BJP because they keep creating hurdles in work. People are angry that the BJP has not been able to manage law and order in Delhi. They are facing anti-incumbency, not us. As far as changing MLAs is considered, it's a routine process.

The BJP has repeatedly raised the issue of "Sheesh Mahal", the nickname they have given to Kejriwal's former residence at 6, Flag Staff Road. Do you think this will be a key poll issue on the ground?