Atishi Takes Oath as Delhi's First Female Chief Minister Since Sheila Dikshit
Atishi was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi on Saturday, marking a significant political development amid growing calls for snap elections in the capital. The oath ceremony comes just days after AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal was released on bail from Tihar Jail and announced plans to resign from his position. Both Kejriwal and his former deputy, Manish Sisodia, have sought public approval for their return to office, asking for a "certificate of honesty" from the people of Delhi.
Atishi Becomes Delhi's 8th Chief Minister
Atishi took the oath of office at Raj Niwas, administered by Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, becoming the 8th Chief Minister of Delhi and the first woman to hold the position since Sheila Dikshit. Her appointment also makes her the 17th female chief minister in India. Along with Atishi, her new Council of Ministers also took oath during the Saturday afternoon ceremony. She will work alongside Sultanpur Majra MLA Mukesh Ahlawat, and existing ministers Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Imran Hussain.
#WATCH | AAP leader Atishi takes oath as Chief Minister of Delhi pic.twitter.com/R1iomGAaS9
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2024
A Short Tenure Before Upcoming Elections
Atishi's time in office will be brief, as the Delhi assembly elections are scheduled for February next year. Both AAP and the opposition BJP have expressed support for preponing the elections, potentially shortening her tenure even further. Despite this, Atishi will play a crucial role as the face of AAP as the party prepares to contest the upcoming polls to retain power in Delhi.
Meeting with Outgoing CM Arvind Kejriwal
Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, Atishi met with outgoing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence, accompanied by other AAP leaders who will be part of her cabinet. Her leadership comes at a crucial time as AAP strategizes for the next election, with Atishi at the forefront of the party's campaign.
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Challenges Ahead
Atishi faces a challenging political landscape as she steps into her new role. As the leading figure for AAP in the upcoming assembly elections, her leadership will be critical in steering the party through a pivotal moment. With a limited tenure and the pressure of the approaching elections, Atishi will need to rally support and prepare AAP for the next electoral battle in the national capital.
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