Atishi succeeds Arvind Kejriwal, who resigned this week, as new Delhi CM
Atishi, a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), took office as the 8th Chief Minister of Delhi at Raj Niwas on Saturday. She took over from Arvind Kejriwal, who stepped down earlier this week following his release on bail in the liquor policy case.
Five members of the cabinet, including four from the previous administration and one new addition, were also appointed during the same ceremony.
Atishi’s new council of ministers include:
- Gopal Rai
- Kailash Gahlot
- Saurabh Bharadwaj
- Imran Hussain
- Mukesh Ahlawat
Atishi, a prominent figure in the AAP and the previous government, became a key face of the party while Arvind Kejriwal was in Tihar jail for the excise policy case, despite her Oxford education.
Atishi, a new MLA representing Kalkaji, was appointed as the 17th female chief minister in India and Delhi’s third female chief minister. The youngest woman chief minister in Delhi is also 43 years old.
During the last administration, Atishi was in charge of 13 different departments, such as finance, revenue, PWD, power, and education in the departing Kejriwal administration.
Also read: Atishi to take oath as Delhi’s new Chief Minister today
Gopal Rai supervised the departments of environment, development, and general administration. Saurabh Bharadwaj managed health, tourism, urban development, and various other portfolios. Kailash Gahlot oversaw transportation, housing, and women and child development, whereas Imran Hussain handled the food and supplies division.
It is anticipated that the four current ministers in the new Cabinet will maintain their existing roles, with Ahlawat possibly taking over any positions that became available after minister Raaj Kumar Anand resigned in April.
Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail on September 13, following over five months of imprisonment in a excise policy case. In a sudden declaration on September 17, he announced he is stepping down, stating he will only resume his position after receiving a “honesty certificate” from the public in the election.
The term of the Atishi administration will be short, as the Delhi assembly elections are scheduled for February next year.
