Arvind Kejriwal quits as Chief Minister, Atishi stakes claim to form government
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday met Lt Governor VK Saxena and tendered his resignation as the Chief Minister of Delhi. Senior AAP leader and minister Atishi, who was chosen by the party legislators to be the next Chief Minister, met the Lt Governor to stake claim to the post.
Speaking to the media after meeting the Lt Governor, Atishi said, "This is the first time in the democratic history of the world that a Chief Minister has decided that the decision of the Supreme Court is not enough for him. Until the court of the people gives its verdict, he will not sit on the Chief Minister's chair."
"The people of Delhi want to see Arvind Kejriwal ji as the Chief Minister, so they have vowed to make him win in the next elections too. The whole Delhi is saddened by Kejriwal's resignation," she added.
Atishi's name was proposed by Kejriwal at the meeting of the legislature party, and it was unanimously accepted by the AAP MLAs. Sources said there would be no Deputy Chief Minister and Atishi, who represents the Kalkaji constituency, would take oath during a special Assembly session on September 26-27.
Speaking on her appointment, Delhi minister Gopal Rai said, "The responsibility has been given to Atishi in testing times. Agencies were being misused against AAP to destabilise the government. AAP has frustrated these attempts."
Rai said Atishi, who has been with the AAP since its inception, had two major responsibilities -- to work for the two crore people of Delhi and stop the BJP's conspiracies.
Kejriwal, who was granted bail in the liquor policy case last week, sent shockwaves through Delhi's political circles after announcing on September 15 that he would resign in two days.
