Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi was sworn in today as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, becoming the youngest individual to hold the position. Her appointment follows the recent resignation of Arvind Kejriwal, who secured bail in the Delhi liquor policy case.
The oath-taking ceremony was held in a subdued atmosphere, reflecting the AAP’s current challenges following Kejriwal’s departure. Prior to the event, Atishi, along with her cabinet members, met with Kejriwal to discuss the transition.
Atishi’s cabinet includes first-time MLA Mukesh Ahlawat from Sultanpur Majra, as well as seasoned leaders Gopal Rai, Imran Hussain, Kailash Gahlot, and Saurabh Bharadwaj, all of whom were also sworn in as ministers.
“It is an emotional moment for me as Arvind Kejriwal will no longer be Chief Minister,” Atishi expressed, acknowledging Kejriwal’s significant contributions, including initiatives for free medical treatment, improvements in government schools, and provisions for free bus rides for women. She assured that the AAP would thwart any attempts by the BJP to undermine their governance now that Kejriwal has been released from custody.
Atishi is the third woman to serve as Chief Minister of Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit. She previously held multiple portfolios in the outgoing government and will need to demonstrate her government’s majority in a special assembly session set for September 26-27.
Her elevation comes at a critical time for the AAP, as the party prepares for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections early next year. Atishi faces the pressing challenge of expediting the implementation of several key policies and public welfare schemes, including the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, the Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, and the doorstep delivery of services.
Having joined AAP in 2013, Atishi initially worked behind the scenes as an adviser on education policies before venturing into electoral politics in 2019, where she contested unsuccessfully against BJP’s Gautam Gambhir in the Lok Sabha elections from East Delhi.
With her past experiences in navigating challenging situations, including the political turmoil following the arrest of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia last year, Atishi is poised to lead the AAP during this pivotal period.
Sources By Agencies
