Arvind Kejriwal steps down as the Chief Minister of Delhi, and the position is taken over by Atishi Marlena, his colleague of AAP. Mr. Arvind Kejriwal suggested the name of Atishi Marlena as the successor of the position.
To turn in his paperwork, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal visited Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, the centre’s representative in Delhi, at his home. Atishi Marlena informed reporters that “this is an emotional moment for the party and the people” and that “the people of Delhi are resolved to make Arvind Kejriwal the Chief Minister again”. Also, she requested the voters to “make your son, your brother, Chief Minister again.”
She further pledged to protect the AAP from the “conspiracies” of the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that the opposition party was pursuing “fake charges” against Mr. Arvind Kejriwal and his party in the run-up to the election.
This dramatic turn happened two days after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal declared he would step down in 48 hours following his bail hearing in the Delhi liquor scandal from the Supreme Court. He declared that he would run for office again and that he would not take office until he had received a “certificate of honesty” from the Delhi populace.
The new CM of Delhi, Atishi Marlena also added, “Till the election is held and we stake claim to the new government, I will look after Delhi”.
One of the bail requirements was that Arvind Kejriwal could not sign official documents or orders without the Lieutenant Governor’s approval, as the AAP has had multiple violent run-ins with the governor.
Two days after being released from prison, Arvind Kejriwal surprised some people in his own party on Sunday with a political jaw-dropper. Arvind Kejriwal stated he now wanted “justice from the people’s court” in addition to having refuted the corruption and money-laundering allegations against him and claimed the BJP was framing him.
Political analyst and Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research Rahul Verma stated, “CM or no CM, ultimately Kejriwal is the boss of AAP.”