Delhi Minister Atishi will assume the role of Chief Minister of India’s national capital territory following the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal, according to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The announcement was made by Kejriwal himself during a meeting with AAP legislators in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Atishi, 43, a key figure in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), will become Delhi’s new Chief Minister following Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation. Atishi, who has been with the party since its rise to prominence a decade ago, has held significant roles in the Delhi government, including in finance and education.
Kejriwal, 55, announced his resignation on Monday, a day after being released on bail from a corruption case. Earlier, he had asked the public to judge his integrity, stating, “Today I have come to ask the public whether you consider Kejriwal honest or a criminal … I will resign from the post of CM [chief minister] two days from today and ask people whether I am honest.”
A staunch critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kejriwal, a former anti-corruption activist, has served as Delhi’s Chief Minister since 2015.
On Friday, India’s Supreme Court granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal, who had been detained for six months over alleged irregularities in Delhi’s liquor policy.
After the announcement, Atishi stated she will serve as Chief Minister “for a few months until the state legislative assembly elections” scheduled for February next year. She emphasized her goal is to reinstate Kejriwal as Chief Minister, referring to him as her “guru” (mentor).
Atishi, from an ordinary background, acknowledged that had she been with another party, she might not have received an election ticket. She credited Kejriwal for trusting her, making her an MLA and minister, and now entrusting her with the Chief Minister role.
