NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has selected Atishi Marlena Singh, the Minister of Education, as his successor. She is the third woman Delhi CM after Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit.
This decision was announced during a crucial meeting of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) legislative body, which began at 11:20 am on Tuesday at Kejriwal’s residence.
The meeting was called to select a new Chief Minister for Delhi after Kejriwal’s announced of his decision to step down after being released on bail in the liquor policy case.
The AAP National Convenor announced on Sunday that he would resign within 48 hours and sought early elections in Delhi. He pledged not to resume the chief minister’s role until he received a “certificate of honesty” from the people.
Senior AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj confirmed that Kejriwal had consulted the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and conducted one-on-one discussions with several party leaders over the past few days.
Atishi was elected as the leader of AAP’s Legislative Party in the national capital.
Atishi currently oversees 11 portfolios in the Kejriwal-led government. This is the highest number of departments a minister holds in the Delhi government right now.
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The Delhi assembly will also hold a special session on September 26 and 27.
Kejriwal is expected to meet Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena at 4:30 pm today to tender his resignation.
