Delhi minister Atishi is set to assume the role of Chief Minister following Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation after his meeting with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena
This decision was made during a meeting of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators earlier today.
At the meeting, AAP leader Dilip Pandey suggested that Kejriwal should select the next Chief Minister. When Kejriwal proposed Atishi’s name, all MLAs supported the choice, and she was unanimously elected as the leader of the legislature party.
Atishi, an Oxford University graduate and Rhodes scholar, currently oversees key departments in the Delhi government, including Education and Public Works. Her contributions have been significant in reforming Delhi’s public education system. Representing Kalkaji as an MLA, the 43-year-old was appointed a minister after the arrest of Manish Sisodia in connection with a corruption case involving Delhi’s liquor policy. During Kejriwal and Sisodia’s legal troubles, Atishi emerged as a key spokesperson for the party.
Earlier this year, on August 15, Kejriwal selected Atishi to lead the Delhi government’s Independence Day celebrations, underscoring the leadership’s trust in her, though the plan was blocked by the Lieutenant Governor.
After her election, Atishi expressed her gratitude to Kejriwal, referring to him as her mentor. She also appealed to Delhi’s citizens to bring Kejriwal back as Chief Minister, emphasizing his integrity.
Her elevation follows Kejriwal’s announcement to resign, in which he stated that he would only return to the Chief Minister’s office after securing a mandate from the people in the upcoming elections. Kejriwal’s resignation came just two days after the Supreme Court granted him bail in a case tied to the now-scrapped liquor policy, allowing his release from jail six months after his arrest.
Although the Delhi assembly polls are scheduled for February, Kejriwal has pushed for them to be held earlier in November, aligning with the Maharashtra elections. Both Kejriwal and Sisodia have pledged not to return to their previous roles without first receiving the support of the electorate.
(With inputs from agency)
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