Wed Sep 18 07:57:20 UTC 2024: ## Atishi to Become Delhi’s Third Woman Chief Minister as Kejriwal Resigns

**New Delhi, September 17, 2024:** In a surprise move, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal submitted his resignation to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on Tuesday, paving the way for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi to become the city’s third woman Chief Minister.

Kejriwal’s resignation comes after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the Delhi excise policy case. In a statement on Sunday, he announced his decision to step down, citing his commitment to seeking a fresh mandate from the people as a certificate of his honesty.

Atishi, currently a Cabinet Minister holding key portfolios including Revenue, Education, and Public Works Department, was elected leader of the AAP legislature party earlier in the day. She submitted her request to the L-G to form the government, effectively becoming the interim Chief Minister until the next Assembly elections in February.

However, the AAP has requested the Election Commission to hold the elections along with Maharashtra in November.

Addressing the media, Atishi, referring to Kejriwal as her “guru,” asserted that her role as Chief Minister is only temporary and that she will prioritize ensuring his re-election in the upcoming polls. She alleged that the BJP had fabricated charges against Kejriwal, keeping him in jail for six months, and expressed concern over the BJP’s potential attempts to undermine Delhi’s development initiatives under her leadership.

The BJP has already launched a counterattack, labeling Atishi a “dummy” Chief Minister and accusing the AAP of a “makeover” attempt to conceal alleged corruption. The Delhi Congress expressed confidence that the next Chief Minister would be from their party, highlighting the AAP’s declining popularity.

Atishi, though expressing gratitude for Kejriwal’s trust, emphasized her sadness at his resignation and requested people not to congratulate her or shower her with accolades.

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