Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent opposition figure and Delhi's Chief Minister, has resigned from his position just days after being granted bail in a corruption case.
According to BBC News, Kejriwal's decision comes after spending five months in jail in connection with a now-scrapped alcohol sales policy.
The leader has consistently denied the allegations against him and has stated that he will only resume his role if his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is re-elected in the upcoming assembly elections.
The AAP has announced that Atishi, a senior Delhi minister and Kejriwal's colleague, will take over as the leader of the government. This move marks a significant shift in Delhi's political landscape, as Kejriwal has been a central figure in the city's governance since his party's debut in the 2013 assembly elections.
The Aam Aadmi Party has been at the helm of Delhi's government since its inception, focusing on welfare measures such as affordable electricity and water for residents. In the 2020 Delhi assembly elections, the party secured a resounding victory, winning 62 out of 70 seats, nearly replicating its performance from the previous election.
Kejriwal announced his intention to resign over the weekend, expressing his desire to seek a "certificate of honesty" from the people of Delhi. He stated that while he had received justice from the legal court, he now seeks justice from the court of public opinion.
The former Chief Minister has called for advancing the Delhi elections, which are currently scheduled for February next year, to November. However, experts suggest that this is unlikely to happen due to legal constraints and electoral procedures.
Kejriwal's arrest was part of a larger investigation into alleged irregularities in Delhi's alcohol sales policy. He was the third AAP leader to be arrested in this case, following former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and AAP leader Sanjay Singh, both of whom have since been granted bail.
The policy in question was introduced by AAP in 2021 with the stated aim of curbing black market sales, increasing revenues, and ensuring fair distribution of liquor licenses. However, it was withdrawn shortly after its implementation following accusations of rule exploitation to benefit private liquor barons.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), AAP's main opposition in Delhi, has dismissed Kejriwal's resignation as a "publicity stunt" aimed at garnering public sympathy. The AAP, in turn, has accused the BJP of using investigating agencies to unjustly target opposition leaders, a charge the BJP denies.
At 43, Atishi is set to become the youngest and third woman to serve as Delhi's chief minister. She currently holds several important portfolios in Delhi's cabinet, including water, finance, power, and education. Atishi's rise to prominence within the AAP has been swift, particularly in the absence of senior party leaders who were recently jailed. Her background includes studies at Delhi University and the University of Oxford, as well as experience in teaching and alternative farming.
Since joining the AAP in 2013, Atishi has played a significant role in reforming Delhi's public schools. Her reputation as an education reformer helped secure her election to the Delhi assembly in 2020, despite a previous unsuccessful bid for a parliamentary seat in 2019.
Arvind Kejriwal's resignation as Delhi's Chief Minister marks a significant moment in the city's political landscape. His decision to step down and seek re-election follows a period of legal challenges and imprisonment. The appointment of Atishi as his successor represents a new chapter for the Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi's governance. As the city prepares for potential early elections, the political dynamics and public response to these developments will be closely watched.
