New Delhi: AAP leader Atishi is scheduled to take the oath as Delhi’s sixth Chief Minister on Saturday, becoming the third woman to hold the position after Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit. Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena will administer the oath at Raj Niwas at 4:30 p.m. The new cabinet will feature prominent figures like Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Saurabh Bhardwaj, and Imran Hussain, while Dalit MLA Mukesh Ahlawat will be a fresh face. Despite Atishi’s appointment, one ministerial position remains vacant.
Atishi, currently representing the Kalkaji constituency, previously held multiple portfolios in the Arvind Kejriwal-led government. Her ascension comes after Kejriwal, facing legal issues related to a CBI investigation into the liquor policy, announced his resignation. Although he has been granted bail, restrictions on his functioning prevented him from actively leading. On Tuesday, Kejriwal resigned and Atishi staked her claim to form the new government. A special session will be held on September 26-27 to prove her majority in the Assembly.
Atishi has expressed strong support for Kejriwal, calling him essential for ensuring a promising future for Delhi, including free electricity and water schemes. She urged the public to support his leadership in the next election. Atishi’s ascension to the role of Delhi’s Chief Minister marks a significant transition in the political landscape of the capital. As the third woman to lead the city, she brings with her experience from her multiple portfolios in the Kejriwal government and a strong connection with the people of Delhi. Her leadership during the final months of the AAP’s term will be critical, as she aims to continue the policies that have defined the party’s governance, such as free electricity and water for residents. With Kejriwal still at the center of the party’s future, Atishi’s tenure may well set the stage for the upcoming elections, where both she and Kejriwal will seek the public’s endorsement once again.
