Manish Sisodia likely to be deputy CM in Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 12:

Delhi Chief Minister-designate Arvind Kejriwal is likely to appoint his trusted colleague Manish Sisodia as the deputy CM, sources said Thursday, adding Somnath Bharti and Rakhi Birla have been kept out of the cabinet this time.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Political Affairs Committee (PAC) Wednesday night at Kejriwal’s residence in Kaushambi in Ghaziabad, party sources said.

Among those likely to be included in the cabinet are: Satyendra Jain, Adarsh Shastri, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Jitender Tomar, Kapil Mishra, Sandeep Kumar and Asim Ahmed Khan.

According to party sources, two controversial former ministers – Somnath Bharti and Rakhi Birla – are not part of the cabinet.

Ram Nivas Goyal is likely to be appointed speaker of the Delhi assembly while Bandana Kumari could be his deputy.

Sisodia was the minister of education, PWD, urban development and local bodies in the 49-day AAP government that had resigned Feb 14 last year.

During AAP’s tenure, Bharti had conducted a midnight raid in south Delhi’s Khirki extension targeting some African nationals, alleging a sex racket operating out of a rented flat.

Delhi Police refused to cooperate with Bharti and his action faced widespread criticism from women rights groups.

Birla, then minister for women and child welfare, had filed a case against a young boy for allegedly stoning her car. The police, however, said it was a cricket ball. Kejriwal then asked her to withdraw the case.

The party made a stunning comeback Tuesday, winning 67 seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly, elections for which were held Feb 7. Kejriwal will take oath as the chief minister Saturday. (IANS)