Atishi takes charge as eighth chief minister of Delhi

AAP leader Atishi assumed office as the eighth chief minister of Delhi on Monday, stating she would govern similarly to Bharat, who placed Lord Ram’s ‘khadaun’ (wooden slippers) on Ayodhya’s throne in his brother’s absence.

She chose not to sit in the chair used by Arvind Kejriwal, leaving it vacant, and instead, sat on a white chair placed beside it.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva criticised Atishi, calling her actions an “insult” to the position of chief minister.

Atishi continues to hold the 13 portfolios she managed in Kejriwal’s administration, including education, revenue, finance, power, and PWD.

“I will serve as chief minister for the next four months in the same manner that Bharat did by keeping Lord Ram’s khadaun on the throne. Arvind Kejriwal has demonstrated integrity in politics by stepping down. The BJP made every effort to damage his reputation,” Atishi said after taking charge.

She added, “Kejriwal was granted bail by the Supreme Court, which ruled that his arrest was done with malicious intent. Others in his position might have taken the opportunity to sit in the chief minister’s chair, but he chose to resign.”

Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai also assumed his duties at the Delhi Secretariat. Meanwhile, new cabinet member Mukesh Ahlawat, who was assigned the portfolios of labour, SC and ST, employment, and land and building departments, also took charge.

Sachdeva further criticized Atishi’s gesture, describing it as disrespectful to constitutional rules and the office of chief minister. “Her actions were not appropriate. By doing this, she has not only disrespected the role of chief minister but also hurt the sentiments of Delhi’s people. Arvind Kejriwal must clarify if he intends to run the government remotely,” he stated.

The new Cabinet, led by Atishi, faces a range of pending projects and initiatives to address in the coming months, ahead of Delhi’s elections in February next year.

(With inputs from PTI)