AAP leader Atishi will be sworn in as Delhi’s youngest Chief Minister today at 4.30 pm at the Raj Bhavan. Alongside her, five MLAs will join the new council of ministers. This swearing-in ceremony will include AAP veterans Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Imran Hussain. Additionally, Mukesh Ahlawat, a first-time MLA from Sultanpur Majra and AAP’s Dalit representative, will be part of the cabinet.
There is anticipation regarding possible changes in the ministers’ portfolios. Atishi previously managed 13 important portfolios, including finance, revenue, public works department (PWD), power, and education, in the outgoing Kejriwal government.
Atishi was chosen unanimously as the Chief Minister designate during the AAP legislature party meeting on Tuesday. This decision followed Arvind Kejriwal‘s resignation, which caused widespread surprise in Delhi’s political circles. Kejriwal resigned just days after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in a corruption case concerning the Delhi liquor policy scam.
With Assembly elections in Delhi scheduled for February next year, Kejriwal stated, “he would return as Chief Minister only if voters give him a ‘certificate of honesty.'”
Atishi, an Oxford University graduate and Rhodes scholar, will become the third woman to hold the position of Chief Minister of Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit. Atishi’s political journey has been rapid, starting as an adviser in 2015 and becoming an MLA in 2020 before ascending to Chief Minister in 2024. She is recognized for her significant contributions to improving education in Delhi’s government schools during her advisory role to former Education Minister Manish Sisodia.
In her brief tenure as Chief Minister, Atishi will have several responsibilities. Her government will need to expedite pending welfare schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, and doorstep delivery of services.
