Atishi, a prominent member of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has been selected as the next Chief Minister of Delhi, following Arvind Kejriwal's decision to step down from the position.
This announcement comes just two days after Kejriwal's resignation, which he made public on September 15. The decision was finalised in a legislature party meeting where Kejriwal proposed Atishi's name, and it received unanimous approval from the AAP MLAs.
Atishi, who represents the Kalkaji constituency, has been chosen to lead the Delhi government as Kejriwal steps aside. The new Chief Minister will be sworn in during a special Assembly session scheduled for September 26-27.
Notably, there will be no Deputy Chief Minister in the new administration. Delhi minister Gopal Rai remarked that Atishi has been entrusted with significant responsibilities during challenging times, emphasising that the AAP has successfully countered attempts to destabilise the government through misuse of agencies.
Atishi, an Oxford University alumnus and Rhodes scholar, has been a key figure in AAP since its early days. She worked closely with former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia as his advisor until 2018.
Her dedication was evident when Kejriwal recommended her to hoist the national flag in his place during Delhi’s Independence Day ceremony. As the only woman minister in the Delhi Cabinet, Atishi oversees 14 portfolios, including education, finance, public works, revenue, and services.
Atishi's rise to prominence was marked by her defence of the party and its leadership during the liquor policy case that led to Kejriwal's arrest. Her proactive role in press conferences and defence of the government positioned her as a key spokesperson.
Now, with Assembly elections approaching in February next year, Atishi's immediate focus will be on preparing the party for the upcoming polls.
Born to Delhi University professors Vijay Kumar Singh and Tripta Wahi, Atishi began her political career with AAP in 2013. Her early efforts included participating in the Jal Satyagraha in Madhya Pradesh in 2015.
Although she faced an electoral setback in 2019 when she lost to cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir in East Delhi, she later achieved success by winning the Kalkaji seat in the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections with a substantial margin.
As Delhi's new Chief Minister, Atishi's role will be pivotal in steering the party and the city through the upcoming election period, continuing her work on education and other critical areas that have defined her career.
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