Atishi Sworn in as Delhi’s Chief Minister, Aims for Continuity and Progress

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi was officially sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Delhi on Saturday. The ceremony, which took place at Raj Niwas, was presided over by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. This marks a significant transition in Delhi’s political landscape, as Atishi steps into the role during a crucial period leading up to the 2025 elections.

Atishi’s swearing-in was also accompanied by the induction of a five-member Cabinet, which includes veteran politicians Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Imran Hussain, and a newcomer to the post, Mukesh Ahlawat. The leadership handover comes after a unanimous decision by AAP lawmakers earlier this week to elect Atishi as the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate.

This change in leadership follows the unexpected resignation of Arvind Kejriwal, who resigned after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in connection with the Delhi liquor policy corruption case. Kejriwal emphasized that he would only consider returning to the post if he received a “certificate of honesty” from Delhi voters in the upcoming assembly elections.

Atishi faces the challenge of managing the current government’s term, which lasts until February 2025. Her goals include maintaining the momentum of AAP’s policies and initiatives, such as the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, the Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, and the doorstep delivery of services, all of which she hopes to expedite before the assembly term ends.

In her speech following the swearing-in, Atishi expressed gratitude to Kejriwal for his trust and highlighted her dedication to furthering AAP’s legacy. “Arvind Kejriwal resigned because he seeks a certificate of honesty from the people of Delhi. I do not think any politician in the world has done this. We must re-elect him as Chief Minister in February,” said Atishi, urging the electorate for their support in the forthcoming elections.

Atishi also criticized the opposition BJP, cautioning that significant AAP-led welfare schemes, such as free electricity, water, and bus travel for women, could be revoked if BJP gains power. She positioned herself as a staunch advocate for the welfare of the people of Delhi.

Atishi’s ascent to the Chief Minister’s office is a notable moment in her political career. With an academic background as an Oxford-educated Rhodes Scholar, she moved from an advisory role in 2015 to being elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in 2020, and now, Chief Minister. She is renowned for her transformative influence on Delhi’s public education sector during her advisory tenure under the then Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

As the third woman to serve as Chief Minister in Delhi following Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit, Atishi’s term is expected to significantly shape the political discourse. The focus now is on how she will handle the upcoming challenges and whether she can ensure AAP’s success in the 2025 elections.