Centre playing dirty politics, says Sisodia
FACE-OFF Dy CM says central govt denied him ‘political clearance’ to visit Austria for three-day educational event
NEWDELHI: Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Saturday said the Centre was resorting to “dirty politics” by not allowing him to attend an educational event in Austria.
Sisodia, who is also the education minister of Delhi, called it an attempt by the Narendra Modi government to create obstacles in the Delhi government’s work.
“I want to know what kind of politics is that. You (BJP) are not letting me share our education model with the world. This is dirty politics,” Sisodia told reporters at his residence.
Sisodia said he was supposed to leave for Austria to participate in a three-day event organised by the British Council on Saturday.
Reacting to Sisodia’s charges, the BJP hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party government for blaming Prime Minister Modi for everything.
“Manish Sisodia has said it was sponsored by a British agency in Austria. That is perhaps why there are doubts on the event. They (AAP) should start looking for better excuses than always blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said BJP’S Delhi chief Manoj Tiwari.
Sisodia said the Union ministry of external affairs informed him verbally that he had not got political clearance for the journey.
“You need political clearance from the MEA before travelling. When I asked them about the grounds on which I was not being allowed, they had no answer,” said Sisodia
“I was supposed to share the ‘happiness curriculum’ in our education model. The BJP government doesn’t want us to share the positive impact of our government with the world. They do not understand that if Delhi government gets praised, it will be good for India,” he said.
The happiness curriculum, launched by the Delhi government in July this year, includes meditation, value education and mental exercises for students up to Class 8.
The Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi has constantly been at odds with the Centre over varied issues. Last week, the Delhi government alleged that health and urban development minister Satyendra Jain was not permitted to attend an event at an Australian university.
The MEA spokesperson did not respond for a comment, despite repeated efforts.