Atishi’s promotion comes two days after Kejriwal announced to step down from the CM post
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided that Atishi Marlena Singh, commonly referred as Atishi will be the next chief minister of Delhi. This is soon after Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is set to resign from the post after a meeting with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena this afternoon.
The decision to make her the CM was taken by Arvind Kejriwal and it received the support of the other members of the party. Atishi already holds several portfolios that includes Education, Finance, Revenue and PWD.
Soon after a legislative meeting of the party, Gopal Rai, Minister for Environment, Forest & Wildlife, Development and General Administration in Government of Delhi, reportedly said, "In the meeting it was unanimously decided that until the next elections, that we want to be held in October-November at the earliest, and people make Arvind Kejriwal the Delhi CM with a thumping majority, Atishi would carry out the responsibilities as the new CM..."
The 43-year-old became a minister after Manish Sisodia was arrested in a corruption case linked to Delhi’s now-scrapped liquor policy. When Kejriwal and Sisodia were in jail, Atishi articulated the party’s position at party events and media interactions.
On August 15, Kejriwal chose her to hoist the tricolor at the Delhi government’s Independence Day event. However, the plan was foiled by Delhi Lieutenant VK Saxena.
Atishi’s promotion comes two days after Kejriwal announced to step down from the CM post. Addressing the party workers on Sunday, the Delhi CM said, "Two days later, I will resign as Chief Minister. I will not sit on that chair till the people announce their verdict. Elections in Delhi are months away. I got justice from the legal court, now I will get justice from the people's court. I will sit on the Chief Minister's chair only after the order of the people."
Kejriwal’s announcement came two days after the Supreme Court granted him bail in a corruption case linked to liquor policy. The bail order cleared the way for his release from prison, six months after his address.
Delhi assembly elections are scheduled for February 2025, but Kejriwal has demanded that they be held in November along with the Maharashtra election. The AAP supremo and his former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said they would go to the people to seek their support and return to the top positions before the people’s verdict.