Atishi Appointed Interim Chief Minister of Delhi After Kejriwal’s Resignation

In a significant political development, Atishi has been appointed as the new interim Chief Minister of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, succeeding Arvind Kejriwal. The decision was announced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) following Kejriwal’s resignation on Tuesday during a meeting with party legislators in New Delhi.

Atishi, aged 43, is a senior figure within the AAP, which, despite being relatively new, has established itself in India’s political landscape. Over her political career, Atishi has managed key portfolios within the city government, such as finance and education. Her appointment follows Kejriwal’s recent legal troubles and subsequent release from prison on bail in a corruption case, which the AAP claims is a politically motivated conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kejriwal, known for his criticism of Prime Minister Modi, had declared his intention to resign in a public address, asking the people of Delhi to judge his honesty. He has served as Delhi’s chief minister since 2015 and remains a prominent member of the INDIA alliance led by the Congress party. Kejriwal’s resignation comes shortly after being granted bail by India’s Supreme Court over supposed discrepancies in the city’s liquor policy.

Speaking to the media, Atishi expressed her gratitude towards Kejriwal, acknowledging him as her “guru” and describing her role as a temporary one until the upcoming elections scheduled for February. “For the next few months, my only focus is to carry on Kejriwal’s vision and work towards reinstating him as the chief minister,” she stated.

As Delhi’s third female chief minister, following in the footsteps of Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit, Atishi emphasized her humble origins and the unique opportunity provided to her within the AAP. She noted that under a different political party, she might not have been given such an opportunity. “I will work under the guidance of Arvind Kejriwal to safeguard and serve the people of Delhi during my tenure,” she assured.