The education system run by the Delhi government has been referred to as "empty" and "a gimmick" by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Speaking out against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration over the excise policy, Mr. Pradhan claimed that his "friends," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia, were attempting to hide their "theft" by bringing up the New York Times article on Delhi's educational system.
"Delhi's educational system is hollow and a nautanki, khokhla" (gimmick). In his speech at Business Today's "India@100 summit" on Friday, Mr. Pradhan stated that the performance of class 10 and 12 pupils in Delhi government schools had been steadily falling, according to the National Achievement Survey. "By displaying the New York Times, they are only attempting to conceal their larceny by abusing the excise policy."
The CBI raided Mr. Sisodia's home in connection with allegations of irregularities in the formulation and implementation of the government's excise policy, which led to a verbal spat between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Mr. Sisodia also holds portfolios of education and excise. While disputing the claim of sponsored journalism, the New York Times said that the article was based on "an objective and on-the-ground reporting."