Atishi To Sworn In As Delhi’s Youngest Chief Minister Today

Delhi is set for a political transformation as AAP leader Atishi will be sworn in as the youngest Chief Minister of Delhi on Saturday, accompanied by five MLAs in the new council of ministers. The low-key ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 PM at Raj Bhavan.

Among those taking the oath alongside Atishi are AAP veterans Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Imran Hussain. The Delhi Cabinet will also welcome a fresh face, Mukesh Ahlawat, a first-time MLA from Sultanpur Majra and AAP’s Dalit representative.

Portfolio Changes on the Horizon?

It remains to be seen if Atishi’s new council will reshuffle the existing portfolios. In the outgoing Kejriwal government, Atishi managed 13 crucial portfolios, including finance, education, PWD, and power. A potential reshuffling could set the tone for her governance style.

AAP’s Political Shake-up

Atishi was unanimously chosen as Chief Minister-designate during Tuesday’s AAP legislature party meeting following Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation as Chief Minister. Kejriwal’s departure came shortly after he was granted bail in the Delhi liquor policy scam case by the Supreme Court.

With Assembly elections due in February 2025, Kejriwal announced that he would return only if voters reaffirm his “certificate of honesty” through their votes.

A Historic Milestone

Atishi, an Oxford University alumna and Rhodes Scholar, is set to become the third woman Chief Minister of Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit.

Her political journey, from being an adviser in 2015 to becoming MLA in 2020, to now Chief Minister, has been a rapid ascent.

Key Challenges Ahead

Atishi’s tenure will likely be brief, but her responsibilities are significant. Apart from leading the party into the upcoming elections, her government must expedite key initiatives like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, and the doorstep delivery of services.

With Delhi watching closely, Atishi’s rise brings new energy to the capital’s political scene.