AAP leader Atishi on Monday, who took the oath of office on Saturday, officially took charge as the eighth Chief Minister of Delhi. Interestingly, she has placed an empty chair next to her chair. Atish sat on a different chair and left chief minister's chair empty for Arvind Kejriwal.
She is the third woman chief minister after Congress' Sheila Dikshit and BJP's Sushma Swaraj of Delhi A first-time legislator, Atishi is a key face of the party and managed AAP's operations during Arvind Kejriwal's time in Tihar jail in connection with the excise policy case. The Kalkaji MLA's name was proposed by Kejriwal, who tendered his resignation as chief minister, for the top post.
'Will work as CM for 4 months like Bharat did for Lord Ram'
Addressing the media after taking charge, Atishi drew parallels between her situation and the story of Bharat from the Ramayana, who ruled Ayodhya in Lord Ram’s absence by placing 'khadaun' on the throne. "Today I took charge as the Chief Minister of Delhi. Today I have the same pain in my heart as Bharat ji had. Just as Bharat ji worked by keeping Lord Shri Ram's 'khadaun', I will work as the Chief Minister for the next 4 months," she said.
She further said that former CM Arvind Kejriwal has set an example of dignity and morality in politics and BJP left no stone unturned to tarnish his image. "For the last 2 years, the BJP has left no stone unturned in throwing mud on Arvind Kejriwal ji. I put him in jail for 6 months. The court also said that the agency arrested Arvind Kejriwal with malice. This chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. I am confident that in the elections to be held in February, the people of Delhi will make Arvind Kejriwal the Chief Minister again by making him win. Till then, this chair of Arvind Kejriwal will remain here," she added.
Atishi sworn-in as Delhi Chief Minister
Atishi on Saturday along with her new Council of Ministers during a ceremony at the Raj Niwas took oath as Delhi Chief Minister after Arvind Kejriwal resigned from top post. The new Council of Ministers announced by the party comprises Sultanpur Majra MLA Mukesh Ahlawat, a new entrant, besides ministers Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Imran Hussain. AAP MLAs met earlier this week and unanimously chose Atishi as the leader of the ruling legislature party.
Atishi became the 17th female chief minister in the country and third in the national capital after the late Sushma Swaraj and the late Sheila Dikshit. The officials at the lieutenant governor's office on Friday evening said President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Atishi as the chief minister of Delhi from the date of her being sworn in and has also accepted Arvind Kejriwal's resignation.
Atishi retains 13 portfolios
Atishi has retained the 13 portfolios she held in the Kejriwal government, including education, revenue, finance, power and PWD. Saurabh Bharadwaj has been allocated health and urban development, while Gopal Rai oversees environment-related portfolios. Imran Hussain manages food supply and election duties.
New entrant Mukesh Ahlawat got the charge of the labour, SC and ST, employment and land and building departments.
Gopal Rai has been given the charge of development, general administration department, environment and forest -- the portfolios he held in the Kejriwal government.
The new cabinet headed by Atishi has a long list of pending projects, schemes and new initiatives to be launched in the next few months before Delhi goes to polls in February next year.
Also Read: Atishi sworn in as Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal attends ceremony
