Delhi CM: AAP Atishi becomes Delhi new Chief Minister on Tuesday.
Atishi to be new chief minister of Delhi, all AAP MLAs unanimously accept Kejriwal’s proposal forwarding her name
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 17, 2024
However, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has narrowed down its choices for the next Chief Minister of Delhi, with Atishi emerging as the top contender during the meeting.
Sources told India Today that there will be no deputy chief minister in the new cabinet. Kailash Gahlot, the Transport and Environment Minister, was also considered for the position, but consensus seems to favour Atishi. The new chief minister will not be sworn in today, and the oath-taking ceremony will occur before the next Assembly session begins, according to sources.
Atishi currently oversees several key portfolios in the Delhi government. Notably, she was chosen by Kejriwal to hoist the national flag on August 15 while he was in jail over the excise policy case. The official announcement of the next Chief Minister is expected around 12 PM today.
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Arvind Kejriwal, AAP’s convener, is expected to step down as Delhi Chief Minister today. On Monday, he held “one-on-one” discussions with party leaders during a Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting to gather input on his replacement. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj confirmed that the PAC meeting took place at Kejriwal’s official residence, where Kejriwal sought feedback from each leader.
Bharadwaj added that further discussions would take place in a legislative party meeting on Tuesday. Kejriwal, who announced his decision to resign on Sunday, held individual meetings with PAC members and Delhi government ministers during the session.
Later today, Kejriwal is scheduled to meet Lieutenant-Governor VK Saxena at 4:30 PM to officially submit his resignation, paving the way for the new chief minister. While AAP leaders have remained tight-lipped on the matter, there is widespread speculation about who will succeed Kejriwal for the remainder of his term.
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(With inputs from PTI)
