Sisodia's earned place in the sun

NEW DELHI: From the humble origins of a school principal's home in the Ghaziabad suburb of Pilkhuwa to No 2 in the Delhi government, it is finally 41-year-old Manish Sisodia's place in the sun. CM-designate Arvind Kejriwal's oldest and closest associate, Sisodia, is likely to get a meaty portfolio and be instrumental in policy-making for the Capital in the next 5 years.
Sisodia's success or failure has been entwined with Kejriwal's for the last 15 years ever since the two began NGO Parivartan to work on the Right to Information Act. On Wednesday, flush from the resounding victory the two met union ministers and the President. As always the flashbulbs captured Kejriwal's every move even as Sisodia stepped aside to allow the media jamboree.
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Sisodia has been a fellow traveler to Kejriwal since 2000 tracing a long journey from activism to politics. Trained as a mechanical engineer and then journalist, Sisodia did a stint in television before giving it up for social work. But through the rough and tumble of fighting against privatization of Delhi Jal Board, to drafting the Jan Lokpal bill, going on 'anshan' and getting arrested for protesting against union ministers or supporting Kejriwal's campaign in the hostile environs of Varanasi, Sisodia has had Kejriwal's back till the very end.
As a AAP leader says, "He is not afraid to speak his opinion but when a decision is taken that he doesn't agree with…he will support it till the very end.'' AAP members say the relationship is like "fire and ice'': If Kejriwal has grand ideas and fiery speech, Sisodia has patience and commitment. When Kejriwal is impatient or angry, Sisodia is cool and calm.
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Childhood friend Kumar Vishwas, who has shared a kindergarten classroom with him, says, "Manish's commitment never waivers, no matter what. So his commitment to anti-corruption and to Kejriwal has remained steadfast. He is also a very calm person who rarely loses his temper. Even during difficult times in the Anna movement when we were tense about Anna's health and the risks we were taking, Manish remained completely unperturbed, certain that whatever happens will be for the better.''
As minister for education, higher education, public works department, urban development and local bodies in the previous AAP government, Sisodia diligently went through files. In fact, he had even systematically prepared a plan for improvement of the school system within the 49 days. This will be his chance now to show his mettle.