Atishi, the Delhi Minister known for her work in education, has been chosen to succeed Arvind Kejriwal as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. The decision was finalised after a meeting of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislature, where her name was proposed by Kejriwal and unanimously accepted by party MLAs.
Atishi, who has been with the party since its inception, represents the Kalkaji constituency and has been handling major portfolios such as education, finance, public works, and revenue.
Her appointment is seen as a significant moment in Delhi’s political history, especially as the city braces for upcoming Assembly elections.
However, the news of Atishi's elevation has stirred controversy, with Rajya Sabha MP and Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal launching a sharp attack against AAP and Atishi.
In a scathing post on X, Maliwal accused Atishi’s family of supporting the 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Maliwal claimed that Atishi’s parents had written mercy petitions to cancel Guru’s death sentence, suggesting that they believed in his innocence.
Maliwal shared a purported letter, allegedly written by Atishi’s parents, in her post and added, "Today, a woman is being made the Chief Minister of Delhi whose family fought a long battle to save terrorist Afzal Guru from hanging."
Maliwal further referred to Atishi as a “Dummy CM,” questioning her credibility and the implications of her leadership for the national capital. She stated that although Atishi may be a "puppet" CM, her appointment raises concerns about the security of the country, especially given her family’s alleged stance on Guru’s case.
“May God protect Delhi,” Maliwal concluded, making her views on Atishi’s leadership clear.
This attack comes at a time when Atishi is poised to take over as Delhi’s first woman Chief Minister, following Kejriwal’s sudden announcement to step down. Atishi, an Oxford University alumna and Rhodes scholar, has been an integral part of AAP's development agenda, especially in improving Delhi’s education system.
Her close relationship with former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Kejriwal has made her a prominent figure within the party.
While Atishi’s supporters hail her as a capable administrator who can lead the party into the next phase, Maliwal's remarks have injected controversy into what should have been a smooth transition of power.
The upcoming days will likely see more political debate over Atishi’s role and leadership as she prepares to assume her new responsibilities as Delhi's Chief Minister.
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