Atishi, a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has officially taken her oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi. This significant event took place alongside the swearing-in of five other AAP leaders. Following her inauguration, Atishi wasted no time in allocating the portfolios, retaining all 13 departments she previously managed as a minister.
Among her cabinet members, Saurabh Bhardwaj oversees eight portfolios, while Gopal Rai takes on three. Kailash Gahlot will manage five, and Imran Hussain has been assigned two. A new face, Mukesh Ahlawat, joins the council of ministers, bringing fresh perspectives to the team.
Shortly after the ceremony, several AAP ministers took the opportunity to highlight the various policies implemented during the Kejriwal-led administration. However, these efforts were met with scepticism from BJP leaders, who dismissed the new government as a "dummy government."
Imran Hussain expressed his gratitude to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, expressing confidence in the party’s ability to win the upcoming Delhi assembly elections.
He stated, “We will form the government again in the next few months. People will choose Arvind Kejriwal as their Chief Minister once more.” Hussain emphasised the ongoing work in Delhi, which includes significant initiatives like the free education model, free electricity for households consuming up to 200 units, and free bus rides for women.
Kailash Gahlot also underscored the importance of Kejriwal’s guidance, asserting that the party's commitment to serving the people of Delhi will remain steadfast. “Our only goal is to continue working for the people and to bring back Arvind Kejriwal,” he affirmed.
On the other hand, BJP leaders were quick to criticise the new administration. Vijender Gupta labelled the AAP government as a “remote-control” operation, suggesting that it lacks independence. He remarked, “This is just a formality.
How could Kejriwal remain CM? When he mentioned running the government from jail, that was just for show.” Gupta’s sentiments reflect a broader scepticism about the AAP's ability to govern effectively.
BJP MP Dinesh Sharma echoed these concerns, expressing low expectations for the new government. He remarked on the challenges the AAP faces, particularly allegations of corruption, and questioned the party's progress. “They will have to answer to the public about their record,” he noted, referring to the criticisms of the AAP's previous administration.
Yaser Jilani, the media in-charge of BJP’s minority morcha, claimed that AAP’s change in leadership was merely a “drama.” He criticised Atishi's previous performance as a minister, predicting that the people of Delhi would vote for change in the upcoming elections. He added, “People are closely observing AAP’s actions. The BJP will form the government in the next assembly polls.”
Atishi's rise comes in the wake of Kejriwal's resignation, which was prompted by his recent bail in a case related to the Delhi excise policy. As Delhi's new Chief Minister, Atishi faces the dual challenge of living up to expectations while navigating the intense scrutiny from opposition parties.
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