Delhi outgoing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal proposed the name of Delhi Education Minister Atishi Marlena Singh as the new leader of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Delhi Legislative Party on Tuesday.
This essentially means that the party will propose her name for the next chief minister of Delhi.
The proposal was unanimously accepted by all party Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), who stood in support, sources said. Atishi's selection as the next chief minister of Delhi is attributed to her extensive responsibilities in the govt, as she currently holds 13 portfolios.
Atishi's ascent within the party has been remarkable. Party functionaries highlight that her importance was evident when Kejriwal, while in jail, proposed that Atishi would hoist the national flag on his behalf at the Delhi govt's Independence Day function. However, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena nominated Minister Kailash Gahlot for the task instead.
As the MLA representing Kalkaji assembly constituency, Atishi has been at the forefront of the party's communication efforts and has taken the lead in addressing crucial issues such as the Delhi water dispute with neighbouring states. She has been vocal on day-to-day party affairs and in taking on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Since the party's formation, Atishi has made substantial contributions to its expansion and progress, playing a critical role as a key member of the manifesto drafting committee for the 2013 assembly elections and formulating the party's objectives and vision.
Why did Kejriwal resign?
Kejriwal, who has been in power in Delhi for 10 years, is due to hand in his resignation to Saxena at 4:30pm on Tuesday.
Kejriwal said that he would not return to the post of chief minister till his party is re-elected in an upcoming state election.
"I will go to every street, I will go to every house and until the public gives its verdict that Kejriwal is honest, I will not sit on the CM’s chair," he said on Sunday while speaking to party workers at AAP headquarters.
Kejriwal also urged the country's Election Commission to hold an early election, calling for the vote to be held in November instead of February 2025.
The opposition leader and his party have denied the graft allegations and claim the arrests of AAP leaders as "politically motivated" by the ruling BJP.
"They wanted to break me by jailing me," he said after his release from prison on Friday.
Kejriwal’s arrest in March had come just a month before India held its national elections.
He had earlier been granted bail for several weeks to campaign for the polls. He returned to police custody after voting ended.