Tue Sep 17 16:43:23 UTC 2024: ## Atishi Elected as New Delhi CM, Kejriwal Resigns Amidst Excise Scam Probe
**New Delhi, September 17, 2024:** In a dramatic turn of events, Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, resigned from his post today, paving the way for Atishi, a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, to take over as the new Chief Minister-designate. Kejriwal, who has been embroiled in a money laundering investigation related to the alleged Delhi excise scam, made the announcement on Sunday and cited his desire to seek a “certificate of honesty” from the people of Delhi through early Assembly elections.
The move has been met with mixed reactions. While the BJP has accused Kejriwal of staging a “drama” and using Atishi as a proxy, the Congress sees it as a “political drama” and called on him to have resigned months ago.
Kejriwal’s decision to step down comes after a tumultuous five months, which saw him imprisoned in connection with the excise scam. He was eventually granted bail by the Supreme Court.
Atishi, a close confidante of Kejriwal and a veteran AAP member, holds several crucial portfolios in the Delhi government, including Education, PWD, Tourism, and Culture. She is known for her work on educational reforms and is considered a rising star within the party.
The BJP has been quick to criticize the move, with Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva stating that changing the face of the CM wouldn’t change the AAP’s character. He accused Kejriwal of “looting” Delhi and vowed that the people would hold the party accountable.
Atishi, in her first remarks since being elected, expressed sadness over Kejriwal’s resignation, but vowed to work towards bringing him back as CM after the Assembly elections.
The new Chief Minister-designate faces the challenge of steering the Delhi government through a period of uncertainty, dealing with allegations of corruption, and addressing the pressing issues of basic services and infrastructure. The Assembly elections in Delhi are scheduled for February 2025.
First Piper 