New Delhi: With AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal announcing he would step down as Delhi Chief Minister, senior party leader Manish Sisodia will meet him today (Sept. 16), and deliberate who will be their pick for the post.
Latest reports say that the successor of Kejriwal will be announced at the AAP MLAs' meeting to be held in Delhi on Tuesday at 11.30 AM.
Kejriwal will tender his resignation as chief minister on Tuesday and the process to choose his replacement will start after that, Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said in a press conference on Monday.
On Sunday, Kejriwal, in his maiden address to party workers after his release on bail, announced he would resign after two days and not sit on the chief minister's chair till people give him a "certificate of honesty".
A party functionary on Monday said, "Kejriwal and Sisodia will be meeting today. This will be the first meeting after the decision by them. The meeting is also likely to see a discussion over the next chief minister." The meeting is slated to be held at the chief minister's official residence in the Civil Lines area.
Kejriwal, who was released on bail from the Tihar Jail in the excise policy graft case on Friday, Sunday said that he would hold a meeting of the AAP MLAs in a couple of days and one of his party colleagues would take over as the chief minister. His unexpected announcement kicked up a strong buzz over the names of his wife Sunita and his ministers Atishi and Gopal Rai as his possible replacement.
Kejriwal said he wanted to give "agnipariksha" (trial by fire) after coming out of jail. "Delhi elections are due in February (2025) but I demand elections in national capital be held in November (2024) with Maharashtra. I will become chief minister, Sisodia deputy CM only when people say we are honest," he said.
Who are the major contenders for Delhi CM?
Sunita Kejriwal
Sunita Kejriwal's name is at the forefront among the contenders for the post of Chief Minister. Sunita Kejriwal is Arvind Kejriwal's wife. She entered politics during the Lok Sabha elections. She was included in the list of star campaigners. During this time, she was widely considered Kejriwal's successor. Currently, amid the discussions, it is most likely that the next Chief Minister of Delhi will be from Kejriwal's family, that is, his wife.
Atishi Marlena
While Kejriwal was in jail, Minister of Education Atishi Marlena took charge of the government's work. She also strongly presented the Aam Aadmi Party's side among the public and the media when needed. Speculation is rife that Atishi may be in line for the Chief Minister's post after Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal nominated her to hoist the national flag on August 15. This move has fueled rumours about her potential elevation, given Kejriwal's trust in her as a leading figure among his MLAs.
Saurabh Bhardwaj
The possibility cannot be ruled out that the CM may approve the name of Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj. Saurabh Bhardwaj, who is looking after an important ministry like Health in the Delhi government, is considered to be included in the list of Kejriwal's favourite MLAs. Kejriwal kept both Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj in equal partnership to look after the work of the government while he was in jail. If the crown of Chief Minister is not adorned on the head of a woman, then Saurabh Bhardwaj may be the next Chief Minister of Delhi.
Aam Aadmi Party is also considering the names of ministers Kailash Gehlot, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Gopal Rai and Imran Khan as CM contenders. Sanjay Singh is also on bail, so the party is considering his name less, as far as Raghav Chadha's name is concerned, the party can play a big gamble by bringing him into Delhi politics.
After Sisodia was released from jail on bail, the discussion had intensified on whether he would now take over his old post or the Delhi CM's chair. But today, with the announcement of his resignation, the CM also made it clear that Manish Sisodia is not in the race for the Chief Minister. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has made it clear that he will not sit on his chair until the public votes for him and Manish Sisodia and gives them a certificate of honesty.
Ball in BJP's court to hold early polls in Delhi, says AAP
Earlier in the day, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party during its press conference said it had put the ball in BJP's court by demanding early elections in Delhi in November, and now it is up to the opposition party to decide whether it was prepared to face CM Arvind Kejriwal.
"Today is a holiday and tomorrow is the first working day of the week. Kejriwal will tender his resignation tomorrow to Lt Governor and after the resignation is accepted, a meeting of party MLAs will be held to decide on the new name," Bharadwaj said at the press conference. He said the candidate chosen will then present their claim to the president through the LG.
"We have the majority and we will be invited and then the process for oath taking will happen. This should take a week," he added. AAP supremo Kejriwal on Sunday announced to resign and not sit on the CM's chair till the people give him a "certificate of honesty" and and sought early polls in the national capital.
The BJP has said if Kejriwal wanted early polls he should get the Delhi Assembly dissolved instead of creating this "drama" around his resignation. At Monday's press conference, Bharadwaj said, "The ball is in the BJP's court. They can decide on early polls if they are ready to face Kejriwal." Delhi elections will be the first polls that will be fought on the plank of "honesty", the senior AAP leader said.
"The Centre with all its agencies is after CM. They have made all efforts to defame him. Despite this, he has faith in people and his honesty. This is a historic incident," he said. Kejriwal's announcement has led to discussion among common people everywhere, the minister added. "People are keen to vote quickly and want early elections to choose Kejriwal. There is resentment against BJP. Lord Ram had given up his kingdom and chosen to go on exile for the sake of his ideals. Bharat, who was chosen in his place, waited for Lord Ram to return. "Kejriwal is not Ram but is setting an example by giving up his chair," he added. (With agency inputs)
Read More
