Sisodia, Vardhan in war of words over parent-teacher meeting in Delhi govt schools

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia hit out at Union Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday for "writing" to L-G Anil Baijal to "cancel a parent-teacher meeting" in Delhi government schools, saying he should be "ashamed" for it.

Hitting back, Vardhan said that he doesn't need a certificate from Sisodia as the education sector knew him well and forwarding people's representations to the authorities concerned was his responsibility.

According to reports, Vardhan has written to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal over a parent-teacher meeting scheduled in Delhi government schools on January 4.

While interacting with reporters, Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, claimed that parent-teacher meetings were one of the major reasons behind the "remarkable transformation" in Delhi's government schools.

"I am angry and saddened to see BJP's mindset to stop the PTMs of Delhi. Harsh Vardhan ji, how did you get the courage to write a letter to the L-G to cancel parent-teacher meeting of Delhi government schools. You should be ashamed," he said, adding the meeting will take place and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would not let the BJP cancel it.

"You (BJP) think you can stop it. It is the decision of the education department of the Delhi government; you would not be able to stop it. The basic character of the BJP, which is against education, gets shown again and again," the deputy chief minister said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal too took to Twitter to express his dismay over the issue.

"Why do these people want to cancel PTM? In PTM, parents get an opportunity to discuss their children's progress with teachers. Many parents wait for PTM eagerly. PTM will be on time. I will also go to one of the schools tomorrow to get parents' feedback," he tweeted in Hindi.

Reacting to Sisodia's remarks, Vardhan said, "We believe in working sincerely and do not need the certificate of Sisodia. I have been an education minister in Delhi and the education sector knows me well."