Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal resigns, Atishi chosen successor

Samad Hoque

Updated At : 06:47 PM Sep 17, 2024 IST

AAP leader Atishi with party chief Arvind Kejriwal and other leaders meet Lt Governor VK Saxena to stake claim for forming a new government in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal resigned on Tuesday, submitting his resignation to the Lieutenant Governor. In a legislative party meeting held at Kejriwal’s residence, Atishi was chosen as his successor.

AAP leader Gopal Rai announced, “Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal submitted his resignation to the Governor today. A meeting of AAP MLAs was held this morning, and everyone agreed to select Atishi as the leader of the legislative party. The Governor has been informed of this decision, and we have requested him to set a date for the oath-taking ceremony as soon as possible.” Decisions regarding the new cabinet will be made later, he added.

Atishi expressed her gratitude to Kejriwal for his trust and support. She said, “I want to thank my mentor, Delhi’s popular chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, for having faith in me and entrusting me with this significant responsibility. It is only in the AAP, under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership, that a first-time politician can become the chief minister of a state.”

The decision came two days after Kejriwal’s release from Tihar Jail, where he had been held. On Sunday, he had announced his resignation, stating that he would only return to the CM’s chair if the public gave him a ‘certificate of honesty’. AAP claimed that his arrest was a political conspiracy orchestrated by BJP.

Atishi, who previously held key portfolios in the Delhi Cabinet, including education, revenue, public works, and power, expressed mixed feelings about the transition. “I am grateful for the trust Arvind Kejriwal has placed in me. However, today I am more saddened than happy because Delhi’s popular chief minister, my elder brother Arvind Kejriwal, is resigning,” she said.

Atishi also conveyed the sentiment of Delhi’s citizens, stating, “On behalf of the people of Delhi, I will say that they want to see Arvind Kejriwal as their chief minister after the upcoming elections.”

Kejriwal had previously ruled out the possibility of his deputy, Manish Sisodia, becoming the next CM, stating that they would appeal to the ‘people’s court’ instead. Rai added that despite the challenges, including Kejriwal’s imprisonment, the government continued to function from Tihar Jail.

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“Atishi's name has been recommended (for CM post)... this is process of the Assembly, MLAs have picked her... welcome it,” says LG Saxena.

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Rai says a delegation of AAP legislators will meet Lt Governor VK Saxena after Kejriwal's resignation to stake claim for the new government led by Atishi

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“The public chose Arvind Kejriwal. He has said that he will not sit on the CM chair until the people ask again but the chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal for these and the next 5 years... One of us will sit on the chair until the elections take place. It will be similar to the way Bharat ruled in the absence of Lord Ram...”, says the Delhi Minister.

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