India
Arvind Kejriwal resigns as Delhi chief minister, Atishi claims formation of government | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday resigned and submitted his formal resignation to Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. The resignation was submitted to Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena around 4.30 pm.
Kejriwal was accompanied by his cabinet colleague, Saurabh Bharadwaj, when he attended the LG Secretariat. MONKEY leader Atishiwho had been chosen as his successor earlier in the day at a meeting of the legislative party, was also present.
The resignation comes days after Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he would step down, saying he would return to the prime ministerial post only if the people of Delhi gave him a “certificate of honesty”.
AAP’s response and future plans
Reacting to Kejriwal’s resignation, AAP leader Gopal Rai confirmed the leadership change and said, “Arvind Kejriwal has submitted his resignation to the Delhi LG. All MLAs have collectively decided to nominate Atishi as the new CM. Atishi has staked her claim to form the government.”
Atishi, the current education and public works minister, will become Delhi’s third woman chief minister. She acknowledged the emotional burden of Kejriwal’s resignation while signaling her commitment to leading the capital.
“Today Arvind Kejriwal has submitted his resignation. This is an emotional moment for the party and the people of Delhi. At the same time, the people of Delhi have decided to re-elect Arvind Kejriwal as the Prime Minister. Till the elections are held, I will take care of Delhi and we have staked our claim to form the government,” she said.
Atishi, a prominent figure in the AAP government, is expected to take office in the coming days as the party seeks to maintain stability ahead of the upcoming elections.
Kejriwal’s legal and political problems
The resignation comes in the wake of the unrest the AAP faced during Kejriwal’s third term, particularly related to the Delhi excise policy case.
Several top leaders, including Kejriwal himself, were accused of taking bribes from liquor companies in exchange for favourable policies. Former deputy CM Manish Sisodia was arrested, followed by Kejriwal’s own arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March, marking the first time that a sitting CM was jailed.
Kejriwal was released on bail after six months and walked out of Tihar jail on Friday following a Supreme Court order.
Announcing his resignation, Kejriwal had said he planned to call for early elections in November. Addressing a public gathering, he said, “I am ready for Agni Pariksha. Two days later, I will resign as Chief Minister. I will not sit on that chair until the people give their verdict. The Delhi elections are still months away.”
He also criticised Modi’s government, describing it as “more dictatorial than the British” and urged other non-BJP chief ministers not to resign if they are wrongly jailed. He stressed that governance can continue from jail if there is unity.
BJP questions Atishi’s background
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has raised concerns over Atishi’s appointment as the next CM of Delhi, questioning her background and affiliations. Tiwari, in a statement on social media, highlighted his reservations over Atishi’s suitability for the role.
“They have appointed Atishi as CM. We welcome her but her background is questionable. Both her parents have written mercy petitions for Afzal Guru to the President of India. Atishi herself supports those who are trying to insult India. You can imagine what would happen if such a person becomes CM,” Tiwari said in his statement.
Kejriwal was accompanied by his cabinet colleague, Saurabh Bharadwaj, when he attended the LG Secretariat. MONKEY leader Atishiwho had been chosen as his successor earlier in the day at a meeting of the legislative party, was also present.
The resignation comes days after Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he would step down, saying he would return to the prime ministerial post only if the people of Delhi gave him a “certificate of honesty”.
AAP’s response and future plans
Reacting to Kejriwal’s resignation, AAP leader Gopal Rai confirmed the leadership change and said, “Arvind Kejriwal has submitted his resignation to the Delhi LG. All MLAs have collectively decided to nominate Atishi as the new CM. Atishi has staked her claim to form the government.”
Atishi, the current education and public works minister, will become Delhi’s third woman chief minister. She acknowledged the emotional burden of Kejriwal’s resignation while signaling her commitment to leading the capital.
“Today Arvind Kejriwal has submitted his resignation. This is an emotional moment for the party and the people of Delhi. At the same time, the people of Delhi have decided to re-elect Arvind Kejriwal as the Prime Minister. Till the elections are held, I will take care of Delhi and we have staked our claim to form the government,” she said.
Atishi, a prominent figure in the AAP government, is expected to take office in the coming days as the party seeks to maintain stability ahead of the upcoming elections.
Kejriwal’s legal and political problems
The resignation comes in the wake of the unrest the AAP faced during Kejriwal’s third term, particularly related to the Delhi excise policy case.
Several top leaders, including Kejriwal himself, were accused of taking bribes from liquor companies in exchange for favourable policies. Former deputy CM Manish Sisodia was arrested, followed by Kejriwal’s own arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March, marking the first time that a sitting CM was jailed.
Kejriwal was released on bail after six months and walked out of Tihar jail on Friday following a Supreme Court order.
Announcing his resignation, Kejriwal had said he planned to call for early elections in November. Addressing a public gathering, he said, “I am ready for Agni Pariksha. Two days later, I will resign as Chief Minister. I will not sit on that chair until the people give their verdict. The Delhi elections are still months away.”
He also criticised Modi’s government, describing it as “more dictatorial than the British” and urged other non-BJP chief ministers not to resign if they are wrongly jailed. He stressed that governance can continue from jail if there is unity.
BJP questions Atishi’s background
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari has raised concerns over Atishi’s appointment as the next CM of Delhi, questioning her background and affiliations. Tiwari, in a statement on social media, highlighted his reservations over Atishi’s suitability for the role.
“They have appointed Atishi as CM. We welcome her but her background is questionable. Both her parents have written mercy petitions for Afzal Guru to the President of India. Atishi herself supports those who are trying to insult India. You can imagine what would happen if such a person becomes CM,” Tiwari said in his statement.
