Kejriwal resigns, Atishi to be next Delhi CM

New Delhi, Sep 17: After four days of meetings, and discussions, Arvind Kejriwal submitted his resignation as Chief Minister of Delhi to Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena on September 17. His resignation comes just months before the scheduled Delhi elections in February 2025, stirring speculation about the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) next steps.

The party has chosen Atishi, a trusted confidant and minister in Kejriwal’s government, as his successor. Atishi, who played a major role during Kejriwal’s recent imprisonment, is now set to become the third woman to lead Delhi as Chief Minister, following Congress’ Sheila Dikshit and BJP’s Sushma Swaraj.

Kejriwal’s decision to step down comes shortly after his release from jail, where he had been held in connection with a corruption case related to the Delhi excise policy. Although he was granted bail by the Supreme Court, Kejriwal cited the need to prove his innocence before the people.

In a statement to his supporters, he said, “I will not sit on the chief minister’s chair until the public affirms my honesty.” His resignation is being seen as a political move and also way of distancing himself from the controversy ahead of the upcoming elections.

The BJP, which was taken by surprise, was quick to criticise Kejriwal’s move. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva claimed that Kejriwal’s resignation was not due to ethics but rather a strategy to avoid addressing the lack of development under his leadership. Sachdeva specifically mentioned the liquor policy, which has been a point of contention, saying, “Kejriwal’s policy has hurt many families, and he should face Delhi’s women on this issue.”

Atishi’s New Role

Atishi, currently an MLA from Kalkaji and a minister handling 14 portfolios including finance and education, has been a key player in Kejriwal’s government. Her promotion to Chief Minister has generated a lot of interest especially with her background and education as well qualified. Describing her nomination, Atishi thanked Kejriwal, calling him her “guru” and pledging to continue working under his guidance.

The designated new Chief Minister emphasised her commitment to protect the interests of Delhi’s citizens, particularly against what she described as BJP’s attempts to obstruct AAP’s work. In her first public statement after the announcement, Atishi said, “This is a moment of joy but also sadness as Arvind ji is stepping down. But we will work hard to ensure he returns as Chief Minister after the elections.”

However, her rise has not been without criticism. Swati Maliwal, the former chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, and Rajya Sabha member voiced strong opposition, accusing Atishi’s family of trying to protect Afzal Guru. Maliwal claimed that Atishi’s parents had written mercy petitions on Guru’s behalf, though this allegation has no bearing on Atishi’s political career. Maliwal went further, calling Atishi a “dummy CM,” suggesting her role would be symbolic until Kejriwal’s return.

Political Implications

Atishi’s appointment comes at a politically sensitive time. While Delhi elections are expected in February 2025, Kejriwal and AAP have called for early elections in November, coinciding with elections in other states like Maharashtra. This demand has taken many political analysts by surprise, as it could create logistical and political challenges for the BJP, which is already stretched with elections in Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, and Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, AAP leaders have drawn comparisons to Hindu mythology in explaining the transition. Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj as reported in a daily newspaper compared Kejriwal to Lord Ram, suggesting that whoever succeeds him as Chief Minister would be like Bharat, ruling in Ram’s absence. “The mandate is for Kejriwal, and this is a temporary situation,” Bharadwaj said.

Gopal Rai, another AAP MLA, added, “Unless the people support him again, Kejriwal will not return as CM. Until then, the party will continue to function under new leadership.”

What’s Next?

Atishi has already staked her claim to form the next government in Delhi, and the focus is now on when the Lieutenant Governor will call her for the oath-taking ceremony. For now, she is expected to take over the administration with a focus on continuing the work laid out by Kejriwal and his team as she has already gained some experience in handling the Delhi bureaucracy in the absence of senior leaders of AAP who were then in prison. However, with the opposition gearing up for an aggressive contest and questions surrounding Kejriwal’s resignation, the road ahead for AAP and Atishi is sure to be full of challenges.

For the BJP, the resignation and new leadership present an opportunity to target AAP’s governance record and capitalise on the excise policy controversy. As Delhi braces for an electoral showdown, the political temperature of criticism and counter-criticism is set to rise with Atishi at the helm and Kejriwal biding his time until the next election results.