Controversy Arises Over Atishi’s Appointment as Delhi Chief Minister

In New Delhi, the appointment of Atishi as Delhi’s new Chief Minister has sparked significant controversy. Swati Maliwal, a Member of the Rajya Sabha from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), publicly criticized the decision, labeling Atishi as a “dummy Chief Minister.” Maliwal expressed concerns by referring to Atishi’s parents, who allegedly had previously sought mercy for the convicted terrorist Afzal Guru. Maliwal stated that entrusting Delhi to someone with such a family background puts the city’s security at risk. She went further in her statement, saying, “Today is a very sad day for Delhi.”

The criticism did not sit well with some AAP members. Dilip Pandey, a senior leader of the party, accused Maliwal of aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party‘s (BJP) agenda. He demanded her resignation from the Rajya Sabha, questioning her loyalty to the AAP. Pandey declared, “If she has even a little shame, she should resign as a Rajya Sabha MP and seek her position from BJP.”

This incident highlights ongoing tensions within the AAP. Maliwal’s relations with the party have been strained, especially after she alleged a close aide of Arvind Kejriwal, Bibhav Kumar, had assaulted her. Although Kumar was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court, the court also ruled that he should not resume any official role in the Chief Minister’s office.