BJP claims AAP setting ‘I love Manish Sisodia’ desk in schools; latter denies, taunts saffron party

New Delhi: Post the arrest of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in liquor policy scam, the attention has now shifted to state govt-run schools with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) getting into war of words over children’s love for ‘Manish Chacha’.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday claimed that the Delhi government was setting up ‘I love Manish Sisodia’ desks in govt-run schools, a charge strongly denied & countered by string of AAP leaders.

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor took to Twitter and alleged that it was regrettable that AAP dispensation was engaged in ‘dirty politics’ over arrest of Manish Sisodia. He claimed that the AAP functionaries were persuading & pressuring school kids to write ‘I love Manish Chacha’ messages for arrested AAP leader.

माननीय @LtGovDelhi सर,@ArvindKejriwal सरकार की गंदी राजनीति अब हर हद पार कर रही है – सरकार कल मासूम स्कूली बच्चों से #ManishSisodia के लियें समर्थन पत्र जुटाने के लियें “I love Manish Sisodia” desk लगा रही है।

कृप्या इस पर तुरंत रोक लगाईये।@BJP4Delhi @TajinderBagga pic.twitter.com/pNg4xQMeta

— Praveen Shankar Kapoor (@praveenskapoor) March 2, 2023

Sisodia was the Number 2 in AAP cabinet and held charge of 18 portfolios in Delhi govt including Education. He stepped down from his post after arrest by CBI over alleged involvement in Delhi liquor policy scam.

AAP ministers and leaders were quick to counter the BJP charge and a couple of them went to mock & taunt the saffron party for the alleged witch-hunt in the now-defunct policy.

Delhi government also in a statement said, “There is no involvement of any government department or government employee in any such activity. It is just BJP agenda.”

Delhi Govt School के छात्रों का अपने Manish Chacha के प्रति प्यार देखते बनता है ❤️

ये वो कमाई है जो आजतक देश के किसी शिक्षा मंत्री ने नहीं कमाई।

छात्रों को अपने Manish Chacha पर गर्व है। pic.twitter.com/JfrCWmGbRJ

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 3, 2023

AAP shared, on its Twitter handle, many pictures & messages of children showing ‘love & gratitude for Manish Chacha’. AAP leader Aatishi also shared doodles of children’s artwork and tweeted, “here goes the outpouring of love for Delhi’s favourite teacher – Manish Sisodia.”

Delhi Govt School के छात्रों का अपने Manish Chacha के प्रति प्यार देखते बनता है ❤️

ये वो कमाई है जो आजतक देश के किसी शिक्षा मंत्री ने नहीं कमाई।

छात्रों को अपने Manish Chacha पर गर्व है। pic.twitter.com/JfrCWmGbRJ

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 3, 2023

And the outpouring of love for Delhi’s children’s favourite teacher – Manish Sir – continues… pic.twitter.com/J93oB4Agmm

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) March 3, 2023

Amid the political bickering continues over Sisodia’s arrest, the BJP spokesperson has also urged Delhi LG VK Saxena to stop this ‘staged’ campaign. He also tagged NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo in his tweet and sought action against the concerned officials for driving children into petty politics for small gains.