Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), submitted his resignation as Delhi’s chief minister during a meeting with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Tuesday. Atishi, a senior AAP leader and minister, met with the Lieutenant Governor to assert her claim to the position after being selected by the party’s lawmakers to be the next Chief Minister.
After meeting with the Lieutenant Governor, Atishi spoke to the media and stated, “This is the first time in the world’s democratic history that a Chief Minister has decided that the Supreme Court’s ruling is insufficient for him.” He will not take the Chief Minister’s chair until the people’s court renders its decision.”
“The people of Delhi have pledged to help Arvind Kejriwal ji win the upcoming elections because they want him to become the Chief Minister. Kejriwal’s resignation has hurt all of Delhi,” she continued.
At the legislature party gathering, Kejriwal suggested Atishi’s name, and the AAP MLAs overwhelmingly approved it. According to sources, at a special Assembly session on September 26–27, Atishi, who represents the Kalkaji constituency, would take the oath of office. There would also be no deputy chief minister.
Minister Gopal Rai of Delhi stated, “Atishi has been given the responsibility in these testing times.” Agencies were being abused to undermine the administration by targeting the AAP. These efforts have been thwarted by AAP.”
Atishi, who has been with the AAP from its founding, according to Rai, has two main duties: working for Delhi’s two crore citizens and putting an end to the BJP’s plots.
Kejriwal, who was given bail in the liquor policy case last week, shocked the political community in Delhi when he declared on September 15 that he would step down two days later.
WHO IS ATISHI?
Atishi, a Rhodes scholar and Oxford University alum, is well-liked by Kejriwal and the former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, with whom she served as an advisor until 2018.
Atishi’s significance can actually be determined by the fact that Kejriwal suggested in a letter to Lt Governor VK Saxena that Atishi raise the flag in his stead during the Independence Day ceremony hosted by the Delhi government.
In addition to being the sole female minister in the Delhi Cabinet, she oversees 14 portfolios, including revenue, services, education, finance, and the public works department.
Known for her behind-the-scenes work, Atishi rose to prominence as the party’s face following Kejriwal and other senior AAP leaders’ apprehension in the liquor policy case. Following the arrest of Arvinder Singh on March 21, Atishi frequently appeared at press conferences to support the AAP chief and explain the government’s position.
The political upheaval in Delhi occurs ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for February of next year. Atishi, a capable administrator who has received recognition for her efforts to enhance Delhi’s educational system, will initially have to get the party ready for the polls.
The 43-year-old, who was born in Delhi parents professors Vijay Kumar Singh and Tripta Wahi, began her political career with the AAP in 2013. After participating in the Jal Satyagraha in the Madhya Pradesh district of Khandwa in 2015, she attracted recognition.
In 2019, the cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir of the East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency defeated her, making her electoral career disastrous.
Nevertheless, in the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, she emerged victorious from the Kalkaji seat, surpassing Dharambir Singh of the BJP by more than 11,000 votes.