Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia talks to NDTV
The recent infighting in the Aam Aadmi Party and the absence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has affected government work, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia told NDTV on Saturday.
"Arvind gives me a call once a day to check on things. Two things happened simultaneously - crisis in the party and Arvind's absence - both have impacted... I try to ensure things are in place," Mr Sisodia told NDTV after presenting his report card on completing one month in office.
Mr Sisodia, however, added that the real report card will be presented once Mr Kejriwal is back from Bengaluru where he is undergoing naturopathy treatment. Mr Kejriwal returns to Delhi on Monday.
43-year-old Mr Sisodia also admitted that the first 30 days of AAP's government in Delhi after a historic win have been overshadowed by a series of stings and letters of inner conflict.
Taking on the critics who call him the chief minister's "Yes Man", he said, "Arvind and I often have differences but we prefer to settle those behind closed doors."
AAP, for the last few weeks, has been embroiled in a controversy surrounding Mr Kejriwal and two of the party's founding members, Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan. The two leaders have questioned what they call 'unilateral decisions' made by Mr Kejriwal. They were recently sacked from a key party panel and have been accused of anti-party activities.
Speaking about the Lokpal Bill, the deputy chief minister told NDTV that it will be brought after the Budget session. He also added that marshals in buses from 6 pm to midnight will be implemented soon for women's safety.
On the matter of full statehood for Delhi, Mr Sisodia said, "we will push for it when we are able to accomplish our current goals. Priority is to prove to the people that we are capable of governing and then take more responsibility."