Wed Sep 18 03:58:52 UTC 2024: ## AAP’s Atishi Named Delhi Chief Minister, Becomes Youngest Woman to Hold Post
**New Delhi:** In a significant development, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Atishi has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, replacing Arvind Kejriwal who stepped down after securing bail in a liquor policy case.
At 43, Atishi becomes the youngest woman to hold the top post in the national capital, following the footsteps of Congress leader Sheila Dikshit and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. Her appointment marks the return of a woman chief minister in Delhi after over a decade.
While Atishi becomes one of the youngest woman chief ministers in India, the record is held by Mayawati, who became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh at 39. Other prominent young women to have held the chief minister’s office include Rabri Devi in Bihar and Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu.
The appointment of Atishi comes at a time when the AAP is gearing up for the crucial Assembly polls scheduled for next year. The BJP has already labelled Atishi as a “puppet CM”, suggesting that Arvind Kejriwal will ultimately return to the post if the AAP wins the elections. However, the AAP has maintained that Kejriwal will return as the Chief Minister after the elections.
Atishi’s appointment brings back the history of sitting chief ministers facing arrests while holding their posts. Notably, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Jayalalithaa were both arrested during their tenures.
With Atishi’s appointment, the AAP aims to showcase its commitment to women empowerment and leadership. However, her tenure as the Chief Minister is expected to be short-lived, with Kejriwal’s return on the cards following the upcoming Assembly elections.
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