New Delhi: In a significant political development, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced that Atishi will be the new Chief Minister of Delhi. This decision follows a meeting of the AAP Legislative Party in New Delhi, where Atishi was elected as the leader.
City Minister Gopal Rai confirmed that Atishi will serve as Chief Minister until the next assembly elections, which are now anticipated to take place in October or November of this year, rather than the previously scheduled February 2025.
Rai accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to undermine the AAP, while questioning public opinion on whether former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is guilty or innocent.
Kejriwal, who has been at the center of controversy, is set to resign from his position as Chief Minister. His resignation follows his recent release from jail, where he had been detained on charges related to an excise policy case. The Supreme Court granted him bail on Friday, after he was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with allegations of corruption and money laundering. Kejriwal was first arrested by the ED in March 2024, and subsequently by the CBI in June 2024.
The BJP has criticized the AAP’s leadership change, suggesting that it will not address the party’s alleged issues with corruption. Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva argued that the AAP needs to account for its actions over the past decade, irrespective of who leads the party.