Why Atishi left Kejriwal's chair empty, and will it help AAP?

In a gesture steeped in symbolism, Atishi, the new Delhi chief minister, left a chair next to hers vacant soon after taking charge of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Monday. The chair was the one occupied by her predecessor and mentor Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo.

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“This is Delhi’s Chief Minister’s chair, this chair is Arvind Kejriwal,” Atishi said, likening her move to that of Ayodhya prince Bharat’s ‘khadaun’ gesture after Lord Rama left for 14-year ‘vanvaas’ in the Ramayana.

The rival BJP termed it a “drama”, though according to Atishi, she was just following Kejriwal’s “dignity in politics” in stepping down after his release on bail. “I will work for four months as the Chief Minister of Delhi like Bharat did by keeping Lord Rama’s ‘khadaun’ (wooden slippers) on the throne. Arvind Kejriwal has set an example of dignity in politics by stepping down. The BJP left no stone unturned to tarnish his image,” Atishi said, reposing “full faith in the people of Delhi”, certain that they would vote in Kejriwal to the CM’s post at the Assembly elections, to be held before February 2025.

‘Drama’, says BJP

Quick in reaction, BJP leaders referred to Atishi as the “new Manmohan Singh” of Delhi, calling her gesture mere “drama”.  The bail conditions set by the Supreme Court bar Kejriwal from going to the CMO or signing any official file, they say; thus, in any case, until he is completely absolved of the corruption charges against him, he cannot operate as CM, they say.

According to BJP leader Amit Malviya, Atishi leaving Kejriwal’s chair empty it a “mockery of the Constitution”.

“This drama in Delhi should stop. Today Atishi Marlena took charge by placing an empty chair next to her Chief Minister’s chair,” Malviya wrote on social media, adding: “That means Atishi is the Manmohan Singh of the Delhi government and the real Chief Minister is Arvind Kejriwal, whom the Supreme Court has stopped from going to the Delhi Secretariat, let alone signing files. This is a mockery of the Constitution made by Baba Saheb. The oath of Chief Ministership and secrecy was taken by Marlena, not by the ghost of Kejriwal sitting on an empty chair.”

Maintaining power balance

Optics of Atishi’s gesture apart, political experts see it as a way to “maintain power balance and harmony in the Delhi AAP leadership”.

Atishi’s selection was based on several factors, including her loyalty, commitment and dedication to Kejriwal – apart from, possibly, her gender. Naturally, as in any other political party, there were other contenders in the AAP for the job, but a woman was chosen because of the message it would send out — of AAP being a “pro-women, gender-sensitive party”. The party needed an image boost in the light of the alleged incident involving Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal and Kejriwal’s close aide Bibhav Kumar.

In other words, AAP in Delhi was in a dire need of an image makeover and Atishi, the leadership believed, was the perfect vehicle for that.

Avoid creating another power centre

Atishi’s appointment as the CM marks a new milestone for both her and AAP, which has largely been a one-man show. However, AAP is a political party and, as some would say, where else would there be politics if not in a political party?

Atishi was chosen over senior colleagues, many of whom may have been harbouring the desire to be the CM, as is only natural.

Observers also point out that while Atishi retained most of her portfolios under Kejriwal, so have other senior leaders like Saurabh Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai and Kailash Gahlot — this, observers say, are part of efforts to balance power equations and avoid the emergence of another power centre.

Atishi –‘first among equals’

The gesture Atishi made today — and her regular insistence that she is only a caretaker, the CM only for a few months till Kejriwal takes over again — seems to be an attempt to maintain harmony and balance in the party.

In the run-up to the Delhi Assembly elections, the AAP faces several big challenges, the biggest being a determined opponent (BJP) — reason enough for the party leadership to not unnecessarily antagonise anyone in the ranks. This is neither advisable nor recommended.