'Make your son CM...': Atishi to Delhi on replacing Kejriwal
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi, who has been chosen by Arvind Kejriwal as his successor following his resignation, appealed to Delhiites on Tuesday to "make your son, your brother, the Chief Minister again" in the next Assembly election. "Arvind Kejriwal believed in me... AAP believed in me. That is why I have been given this responsibility," she said at a press conference.
Atishi pledges to defend AAP against BJP's 'conspiracies'
Atishi also pledged to protect the AAP from what she called the Bharatiya Janata Party's "conspiracies." She accused the opposition party of pursuing "fake charges" against Kejriwal, who was arrested twice this year on money laundering and corruption charges related to an alleged liquor policy scam. "BJP imposed fake cases on the AAP...made up charges against Arvind Kejriwal...but the Supreme Court gave its decision," she said.
Atishi's rise to prominence in AAP
Atishi, a 43-year-old MLA from South Delhi's Kalkaji, rose to prominence after former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in the liquor policy case last year. She was then given charge of the Education Department previously led by Sisodia. Her role further expanded following the arrest of Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in the same case. After Kejriwal's arrest, Atishi and her colleague Saurabh Bharadwaj were given key portfolios.
Atishi's promotion confirmed at AAP legislators' meeting
Atishi's promotion was confirmed at an AAP legislators' meeting, where she was elected to lead the party's legislative council. She will officially take over after Kejriwal formally resigns following his meeting with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Tuesday evening. Kejriwal and Sisodia have stated that they will seek a "clean chit" from voters to back the Supreme Court's bail orders.
