Atishi appointed as new CM of Delhi as Kejriwal steps down; here’s all you need to know
Atishi has been selected as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, succeeding Arvind Kejriwal. The decision was made during a legislative party meeting at Kejriwal’s residence, where her name was proposed. Kejriwal is expected to resign after meeting with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 4:30 pm today.
Atishi will be the third woman to hold the position of Chief Minister of Delhi, following in the footsteps of Sheila Dikshit and Sushma Swaraj. Upon her appointment, Atishi expressed her gratitude to Kejriwal, calling him her mentor and acknowledging his faith in her leadership abilities. She also expressed mixed emotions, stating that while she is honored to become Chief Minister, she feels saddened by Kejriwal’s resignation. She emphasized that, for her, there is only one Chief Minister of Delhi, and that is Arvind Kejriwal.
#Watch | “First of all, I thank Delhi’s beloved Chief Minister and my guru, #ArvindKejriwal for giving me such a big responsibility. Today he has given me the responsibility to be the CM. I’m happy that he has shown so much faith in me,” says #Delhi minister #Atishi during a… pic.twitter.com/wDAQ5Lyoti
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) September 17, 2024
Atishi also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of creating obstacles for Kejriwal. She referenced Kejriwal’s view that the Supreme Court’s decision allowing him to remain as Chief Minister was insufficient, stating that only the people of Delhi could restore him to power through their trust in him.
Kejriwal’s resignation comes after his release from Tihar Jail, where he was held due to his alleged involvement in the Delhi liquor policy case. Just days after his release, Kejriwal announced that he would resign and call for early elections. He also promised not to return as Chief Minister unless the public reaffirmed their belief in his integrity.
Read More: Arvind Kejriwal deliberately eating mangoes to get bail, claims ED
Atishi’s political career has been marked by her roles in the Aam Aadmi Party, including running in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and serving as an MLA and Cabinet Minister. Her experience and dedication have now led her to the highest office in Delhi.
