Delhi’s former Deputy Chief Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia on Sunday embarked on a significant visit to Punjab, marking his first trip to the State since his release on bail from the Supreme Court. Accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other key AAP figures, Sisodia’s visit to the Golden Temple and Durgiana Temple was both a personal and political statement.
The visit followed Sisodia’s recent bail after spending 17 months in jail over allegations related to an excise policy case. As he arrived in Amritsar, Sisodia was warmly welcomed by Chief Minister Mann, who joined him in paying respects at the Golden Temple. This pilgrimage is significant not only for its spiritual value but also as a symbol of Sisodia’s resilience and continued commitment to his party and its principles.
Addressing the media outside Sri Darbar Sahib, Sisodia expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to visit the sacred site. “It is a profound honour to have had the chance to bow down at Darbar Sahib,” Sisodia remarked. He acknowledged the support he received during his imprisonment and emphasized that even from jail, he prayed for the triumph of truth and justice. “Despite the difficulties and challenges, I remained hopeful and steadfast in my belief that the truth would prevail.”
“During my time in jail, I missed the people and my team in Punjab. The Punjab government is working efficiently under CM Bhagwant Mann's leadership…Truth must prevail. With God’s grace, I am out of jail and I wish that Arvind Kejriwal ji too would be released soon,” he added.
Chief Minister Mann echoed Sisodia’s sentiments and provided context to their visit. “Today’s visit is not just a political gesture but a personal pilgrimage. Manish Sisodia’s return to Punjab and his visit to Darbar Sahib underscore his commitment to justice and his enduring faith,” Mann stated. He further asserted that the ongoing legal battles against AAP leaders are part of a broader attempt to undermine the party’s integrity and unity.
Mann pointed out that the cases against AAP leaders were baseless and part of a deliberate strategy to weaken the party. “We always believed that these false charges would not withstand judicial scrutiny. Our expectation is the same for Arvind Kejriwal’s case. The BJP’s attempts to destabilize AAP by jailing our leaders are designed to break our spirit, but we remain resolute,” Mann asserted.
Sisodia also reflected on his time in jail, describing it as a period marked by a concerted effort to discredit him and his party. “The charges were always part of a larger conspiracy aimed at undermining the AAP. I am grateful to God and the Constitution for delivering justice. Even during my imprisonment, my faith in truth and justice never wavered,” Sisodia stated. He expressed optimism about Kejriwal’s eventual release, reinforcing his belief that justice would ultimately prevail.
Following their visit to the Golden Temple, Sisodia, Mann, and their delegation proceeded to the Attari-Wagah border. There, they attended the evening parade, an event that draws significant crowds and symbolizes the nation’s unity and pride. This visit to the border was both a show of solidarity with the nation’s defense forces and a gesture of continuing support for the people of Punjab.
The day’s events highlighted not only Sisodia’s personal and political resilience but also the broader narrative of AAP’s struggle against what they perceive as politically-motivated attempts to discredit and destabilize their leadership. As Sisodia and Mann concluded their visit, they reaffirmed their commitment to their party’s principles and to continuing their work for the people of Punjab and Delhi.
