Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau
Atishi Marlena was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Delhi on Saturday, marking the fourth consecutive AAP government in the capital. She becomes the 17th female chief minister in India. The newly announced Council of Ministers includes Sultanpur Majra MLA Mukesh Ahlawat, alongside Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Imran Hussain.
Speaking after the ceremony, Atishi expressed mixed emotions. She acknowledged the trust placed in her by outgoing CM arvind kejriwal but shared her sadness over his resignation. “I would like to thank Arvind Kejriwal, the popular CM of Delhi, AAP national convenor, and my mentor. He gave me this huge responsibility, which could only happen in AAP,” she said. Atishi also vowed to work hard to bring Kejriwal back as Chief Minister after the next assembly elections
being sworn in as a Delhi Minister, AAP MLA Mukesh Ahlawat expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s all thanks to Arvind Kejriwal and Baba Saheb that people like me have the opportunity to become a Minister. Our focus will be on working as much as possible, with a priority on serving the Dalit and backward communities.”
AAP leader Kailash Gahlot said, “Arvind Kejriwal’s guidance as the party’s national convenor will continue. Our sole aim is to keep working for the people of Delhi, just as before, and to bring Arvind Kejriwal back.”
A first-time legislator, Atishi is a key face of the party and managed AAP’s operations during Arvind Kejriwal’s time in Tihar jail in connection with the excise policy case. The Kalkaji MLA’s name was proposed by Kejriwal, who tendered his resignation as chief minister, for the top post. As Delhi’s third woman chief minister, Atishi follows in the footsteps of the BJP Sushma Swaraj and the congress’ Sheila Dikshit. The 43-year-old is also Delhi’s youngest woman chief minister. Dikshit was 60 years old when she took charge while Swaraj was 46. She is only the second woman chief minister in the country at present, alongside West Bengal’s Mamata banerjee
The President of India Droupadi Murmu, officially appointed Atishi after accepting Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation. A low-key ceremony was held at Raj Niwas, given the party’s subdued mood following Kejriwal’s unexpected departure.
The Atishi-led government will have a brief tenure, with Delhi Assembly polls scheduled for February 2024. Her administration will focus on fast-tracking key pending policies, including the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, and the doorstep delivery of services.
Atishi had previously held 13 portfolios in the Kejriwal government, including finance, revenue, PWD, and education. Other ministers like Gopal Rai, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot, and Imran Hussain are expected to retain their former portfolios.
