Delhi CM Atishi
Atishi began her political journey as an advisor to Manish Sisodia, playing a pivotal role in the transformation of Delhi’s education system. Over time, she rose to prominence within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), becoming one of its key ministers, especially after Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal were jailed. Her steady ascent through the AAP ranks culminated on a Tuesday, when the party decided to appoint the 43-year-old as the next Chief Minister of Delhi, replacing Kejriwal, who was set to resign later that day.
Even before this official announcement, Atishi’s name was widely discussed as a potential Chief Minister candidate, not just within the AAP, but also by political rivals like the BJP and Congress. With a woman at the helm of the Delhi government, AAP appears to be positioning itself to solidify its appeal among female voters—a constituency that Kejriwal has worked hard to engage. In a speech on Sunday, while announcing his resignation, Kejriwal revealed that he had sent a letter from jail to the Lieutenant Governor, asking for Atishi to represent him by unfurling the national flag on August 15. Unfortunately, the letter went undelivered.
Atishi’s political journey has had its challenges. In 2015, just before AAP expelled founding members Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav, Atishi’s political future seemed uncertain due to her perceived closeness to the two leaders. The party even removed her from its list of spokespersons, fearing she might side with Bhushan and Yadav. However, in a surprising move, Atishi publicly distanced herself from the two leaders, accusing them of failing to resolve their differences with the party. She threw her support behind Kejriwal and began working closely with Manish Sisodia in the Education Department.
Who is New Delhi CM Atishi?
A Rhodes Scholar with a degree in history from Oxford University, Atishi was instrumental in implementing key reforms in Delhi’s schools. The AAP’s focus on education became a central part of its political identity, setting it apart from other parties. Atishi’s efforts in transforming the education system played a crucial role in the party’s success, and she remained an integral part of AAP’s leadership even after her role as Sisodia’s advisor officially ended in 2018.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had objected to the Delhi government’s appointment of 10 advisors, citing procedural irregularities, which led to her formal departure from the advisory role. Despite this, Atishi continued to be the go-to person for matters related to education within the AAP.
Her transition into active politics came during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where she contested against BJP’s Gautam Gambhir in East Delhi. Although she lost that election, she bounced back in the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, winning the Kalkaji constituency. Following her victory, Atishi took on more prominent roles within the AAP, leading the party’s efforts in the fight for control of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) alongside other prominent party members like Durgesh Pathak and Saurabh Bhardwaj. The AAP secured a majority in the December 2022 MCD elections, and Atishi played a key role in coordinating the party’s strategy during the heated mayoral and standing committee elections in the MCD House.
Atishi’s responsibilities within the Delhi government continued to expand as she took charge of more and more departments. Initially, she oversaw the Education and Public Works Departments, which were previously under Satyendra Jain. Over time, she was also assigned the water, revenue, and law portfolios, among others, as her influence within the Cabinet grew. Following the arrests of Sisodia and Kejriwal in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, Atishi was handed responsibility for the largest number of government departments, solidifying her role as one of the most powerful figures in the Delhi government.
Atishi’s journey from an advisor in the Education Department to becoming a potential Chief Minister of Delhi is a testament to her resilience, dedication, and political acumen. She has proven herself to be a key leader within the AAP, and her ascent marks a significant moment in the party’s history, especially as it navigates the challenges posed by the arrests of its senior leaders.
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FAQs
1. Who is Atishi, the new Chief Minister of Delhi?
Atishi is a prominent leader from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), known for her key role in reforming Delhi’s education system. She has been appointed as Delhi’s Chief Minister after the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal.
2. What is Atishi’s background in education?
Atishi is a Rhodes Scholar with a degree in history from Oxford University. She was instrumental in shaping and implementing several education reforms as an advisor to Manish Sisodia, transforming government schools in Delhi.
3. How did Atishi rise to political prominence?
Atishi started as an advisor in the Delhi Education Department and gradually rose through the AAP ranks. She entered active politics during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and later won the Kalkaji Assembly seat in 2020, securing a significant position within the party.
4. What are Atishi’s key contributions to the AAP government?
Atishi played a central role in improving Delhi’s education sector, making it one of the AAP government’s signature achievements. She also led several initiatives in the Public Works Department and managed key roles in the MCD elections.
5. Which departments is Atishi currently managing?
Following the arrests of Manish Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi has taken over several crucial departments, including education, public works, water, revenue, and law.
