Sacking Marlena as advisor killed hopes of those who sent kids to govt schools: Sisodia to PM

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging the recent sacking of Atishi Marlena as the Delhi minister's advisor has dashed the hopes of poor people who used to send their children to government schools.

Asserting that the brightest of the ideas implemented by the AAP dispensation in the education sector in Delhi came from Marlena, Sisodia said the Prime Minister should think of the city's children next time he "meditates".

In his letter laced with sarcasm, Sisodia said, "The support that the Delhi government has received from the Centre is known to everybody. But despite that we have done significant work in the areas of education, health, water and electricity".

Sisodia says in the letter that Delhi government improved the infrastructure of its schools, fixed accountability, opened schools of excellence and done much more in the sector.

"Marlena, who is a St Stephens and Oxford graduate, suggested and extensively worked on these ideas. By sacking her you have killed the hopes of poor people who used to send their children to our schools," he says.

"Everybody says you are a 'yogi'. So, next time you are performing meditation or yoga, think of these children who will suffer because of your decision." he added.

Earlier this week, the tussle between the AAP government and the Centre escalated with the cancellation of appointment of nine advisors to Delhi ministers following the Union Home Ministry's directions which said these posts were "not sanctioned".

These advisors included those assisting Sisodia.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the appointment of his advisor A K Singhal has also been cancelled. Jain said Singhal was looking after projects in the health department.

"Singhal is a financial expert. He had been working with us for the last one-and-half years. With the help of his service, there has been improvement in various projects be it forensic labs among others," the minister told reporters here.

According to an order issued by General Administration Department of the Delhi government on April 17, the Union Home Ministry had said in a letter on April 10 that advisors were not on the list of posts approved for ministers and the chief minister.

"No prior approval of the central government has been taken for creation of said posts on which these persons have been appointed on co-terminus basis," the order stated.