AAP leader Atishi officially took over as the Chief Minister of Delhi on Monday, making a bold statement by leaving an empty chair next to hers as a tribute to her predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal. Drawing a parallel to Bharat from the Ramayana, Atishi compared her new role to ruling in Lord Ram’s absence, stating, Just as Bharat placed Lord Ram’s sandals on the throne, I will govern Delhi with the same dedication until Arvind Kejriwal returns.
Atishi expressed confidence in Kejriwal’s return to power in the upcoming elections, saying, This chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. I am certain that in the February elections, the people of Delhi will once again elect him as their Chief Minister. Until then, this chair will remain in this office, awaiting his return.
Sworn in as Delhi’s eighth and third female Chief Minister—following in the footsteps of Sheila Dikshit and Sushma Swaraj—Atishi has taken charge with five cabinet ministers, including four from the previous administration. She continues to hold 13 key portfolios from her previous tenure, including education, finance, power, and public works.
Atishi assumed the role following Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation after the Supreme Court’s interim bail order in the excise policy case. Her tenure is expected to be brief, as Delhi’s Assembly elections are set for February 2025.
BJP Criticism of Atishi’s Gesture
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva harshly criticized Atishi’s symbolic gesture of leaving an empty chair for Kejriwal, calling it a violation of constitutional norms and an insult to the office of the Chief Minister. In a statement, Sachdeva argued that placing two chairs at the Chief Minister’s desk is not idealism but blatant sycophancy. Sachdeva further accused Atishi of disrespecting the office and hurting the sentiments of Delhi’s citizens with her actions.
Despite the controversy, Atishi’s appointment marks a significant milestone as she becomes the youngest Chief Minister in Delhi’s history and one of only two female Chief Ministers in India, alongside West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee.
