Atishi Sworn in as Delhi’s 8th Chief Minister Amid Calls for Kejriwal’s Return

Atishi, a prominent leader from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), took the oath as the 8th Chief Minister of Delhi at the Raj Niwas on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Her appointment follows the resignation of former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, which was submitted to the Lieutenant-Governor on September 17. The swearing-in ceremony witnessed the induction of five other Cabinet Ministers, namely Gopal Rai, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot, Imran Hussain, and the first-time Member of the Legislative Assembly, Mukesh Ahlawat. The oath was administered by Lieutenant-General V.K. Saxena.

A gazette notification issued by the Union Home Ministry indicated that President Droupadi Murmu confirmed Atishi’s appointment to lead the government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The President’s acceptance of Kejriwal’s resignation paved the way for Atishi’s nomination as the leader of the AAP Legislature Party, solidifying her position as the new chief minister.

Atishi’s new administration will see her retaining all 13 portfolios she managed under the previous government headed by Kejriwal, including crucial departments such as education, revenue, finance, power, and Public Works Department (PWD). Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has approved a proposal concerning the distribution of responsibilities among her cabinet members.

The recently sworn-in ministers include Saurabh Bharadwaj, who will oversee the health, urban development, irrigation, and tourism departments. He will also assume control over the social welfare and cooperative departments previously managed by Raaj Kumar Anand. Mukesh Ahlawat, a first-time minister, will be responsible for labor, gurdwara elections, welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and land and building portfolios. Other cabinet members have retained portfolios from their previous roles, with slight modifications aligned with Atishi’s governance vision.

The new cabinet’s principal mission is to guide the AAP to victory in the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, ensuring Arvind Kejriwal’s return to the chief minister’s office. At a press conference after her oath, Atishi emphasized that the ruling party’s sole objective is to bring Kejriwal back to leadership. Similarly, Environment Minister Gopal Rai reiterated this focus, aiming to expand on Delhi’s developmental projects introduced during Kejriwal’s tenure.

Food and Supplies Minister Imran Hussain stated that Kejriwal was wrongly implicated in charges that led to his resignation and assured the public that efforts will be concentrated on securing his re-election. Meanwhile, Mukesh Ahlawat expressed surprise upon his ministerial appointment, vowing to diligently fulfill his responsibilities.