After Arvind Kejriwal’s release, Delhi’s politics is witnessing a new turn. Just five months before the elections, Kejriwal has made a significant move by resigning from the chief minister’s position. In a meeting of the legislative party, he proposed that his trusted ally, Atishi, be appointed as chief minister, which was unanimously accepted. Atishi Marlena will be the third female chief minister of Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj in 1998 and Sheila Dikshit, who served from 1998 to 2013. Notably, Atishi has also set the record for being the youngest chief minister in the country at the age of 43.

Why Atishi as Chief Minister?

Atishi is one of Kejriwal’s most trusted associates and ministers, who stood by him even during his imprisonment and effectively handled key ministries in the Delhi government. After Manish Sisodia’s imprisonment, Atishi was assigned several ministries, including education. She joined the Aam Aadmi Party in 2013 when it first came to power, and she was also a member of the manifesto drafting committee.

In 2015, Atishi played a crucial role in the water satyagraha in Madhya Pradesh. From 2015 to 2018, she served as an advisor to former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. In 2020, she contested and won from the Kalkaji assembly constituency in Delhi. After Sisodia’s imprisonment in 2023, Atishi became a cabinet minister and is currently responsible for five ministries, including education, women’s and child welfare, culture and tourism, and public works.

What Benefit Does Kejriwal’s Move Bring to AAP?

Kejriwal ran the government from jail for the past six months, but what prompted him to announce his resignation immediately upon release? Political experts suggest there could be several reasons. According to the Supreme Court’s orders, Kejriwal cannot sign any government files or visit the CM’s office or the secretariat while serving as chief minister. With Delhi assembly elections coming up in five months, if previous promises made by Kejriwal remain unfulfilled, it could have a direct impact on the elections.

Due to Kejriwal’s six-month imprisonment, there hasn’t been a single cabinet meeting, leaving many important files pending. The condition of hospitals is poor, and the recruitment of teachers has been stalled. The Chief Minister’s Women’s Honor Scheme, announced by Kejriwal in March, has also been shelved, under which every woman was promised ₹1,000 per month.

Did Kejriwal Hit Multiple Targets with One Stone?

On one hand, he responded to the opposition’s attacks when the BJP was persistently writing to the President for his resignation. Recently, actions had also begun in this regard, with the President seeking a response from the Home Ministry. If the central government were to remove the chief minister, it would pose a dual challenge for AAP. Kejriwal’s resignation could lead to sympathy votes in the Haryana elections, which is significant as he has ties to Haryana.

Kejriwal appealed to the public, stating that elections are coming up in the next few months. If they believe he is guilty, they should not vote for him. Referencing the Ramayana, he mentioned that when Lord Ram went into exile for 14 years, Sita had to undergo the test of fire, and he is now ready to undergo his own test.

“I am in the court of the people, and I will not sit in the chief minister’s chair until the public delivers its verdict.” This heartfelt appeal may help improve Kejriwal’s image, which has come under scrutiny regarding his integrity.

Will Atishi Adopt a Rebel Stance?

Historically, there have been instances where a chief minister, after resigning and handing over power to a trusted associate, later rebelled. For example, in 2014, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar appointed Dalit leader Jitan Ram Manjhi as chief minister, but Manjhi later refused to resign and took a rebellious stance, forming his own party. Recently, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren appointed Champai Soren as chief minister before going to jail, and Champai later joined the BJP as a rebel.

However, following the announcement, Atishi stated that everyone must work together for the people of Delhi and ensure Kejriwal is made chief minister in the next election. Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj has also mentioned that no matter who becomes chief minister, the chair will always belong to Kejriwal. The answers to these questions will unfold in the coming days.