Arvind Kejriwal has chosen Atishi from AAP to be the new Chief Minister of Delhi.
The elevation of Atishi occurs two days after Arvind Kejriwal's surprising announcement to step down from the top post.
Arpit Pattnaik
Delhi minister Atishi is set to take over as Chief Minister after Arvind Kejriwal resigns from the top post. This decision was made at an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators' meeting following a discussion with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. At the meeting, party leader Dilip Pandey proposed that Mr. Kejriwal decide on the Chief Minister face. When the AAP national convener proposed Ms. Atishi's name, all AAP MLAs stood up and accepted it. Ms. Atishi was then elected leader of the legislature party.
Ms. Atishi currently holds key portfolios in the Delhi government, including Education and Public Works Department. She is an alumna of Oxford University and a Rhodes scholar. Ms. Atishi has been extensively involved in the AAP's efforts to reform education in Delhi's schools.
At the age of 43, Ms. Atishi, an MLA from Kalkaji, became a minister after Mr. Sisodia was arrested in a corruption case related to Delhi's now-scrapped liquor policy. During Mr. Kejriwal and Mr. Sisodia's incarceration, Atishi represented the party at events and in media interactions. On August 15, Mr. Kejriwal selected her to hoist the tricolour at Delhi government's Independence Day event, indicating the AAP leadership's strong confidence in Ms. Atishi.
Ms. Atishi's elevation comes shortly after Mr. Kejriwal's announcement to step down as Chief Minister. He stated, "Two days later, I will resign as Chief Minister. I will not sit on that chair till the people announce their verdict." This decision followed the Supreme Court granting him bail in a corruption case linked to Delhi's now-scrapped liquor policy. The bail order paved the way for his release from prison, six months after his arrest.
Although the assembly polls in the national capital are scheduled for February, Mr. Kejriwal has called for them to be held in November, along with the Maharashtra election. Both Mr. Kejriwal and his former Deputy, Manish Sisodia, have expressed their intent to seek the people's support and not return to their previous positions before the people's verdict.
