Atishi will be Delhi’s new Chief Minister. The decision was made today during a meeting led by Arvind Kejriwal at his residence, where Atishi’s name was proposed. Kejriwal is expected to resign later today and will meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 4:30 pm. Atishi will be the second woman to serve as Chief Minister of Delhi, after Sheila Dikshit.
WHEN KEJRIWAL ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION
On September 13, Arvind Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail, where he had been held over the Delhi liquor policy case. Just two days after his release, Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he would resign as Chief Minister within 48 hours. He also called for early elections in Delhi and promised not to return to the chief minister’s office until he received a “certificate of honesty” from the people.
On Monday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) conducted a series of meetings as Kejriwal sought input from the party’s political affairs committee, the top decision-making body, on selecting his successor. These discussions took place in one-on-one meetings at his official residence.
Atishi’s Political Career
2019 Lok Sabha Elections:
Atishi was appointed as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for East Delhi. She faced a significant loss to the BJP’s Gautam Gambhir, trailing by 4.77 lakh votes.
2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly Elections:
Atishi contested from the Kalkaji constituency in South Delhi. She secured a victory against BJP candidate Dharambir Singh by a margin of 11,422 votes.
Cabinet Minister Appointment:
Following the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyender Jain, Atishi was inducted into the Delhi government as a Cabinet Minister alongside Saurabh Bharadwaj.
WHO WERE THE CM PROBABLES
Names of Delhi ministers Atishi, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, and Saurabh Bharadwaj have been mentioned as potential contenders, according to PTI. The news agency also noted that Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, and Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel were considered as possible candidates. Additionally, Mangolpuri MLA Rakhi Birla, who is the deputy speaker, and Kondli legislator Kuldeep Kumar were also in the running. PTI sources indicated that the party might consider a surprise candidate from the minority community, given the shifts in support since the 2020 Delhi riots.