NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday announced Delhi minister Atishi the successor of incumbent CM Arvind Kejriwal , who on Sunday declared that he would step down from the post within two days.
While addressing a Sunday's rally CM Kejriwal, out on bail in an alleged liquor policy scam , announced that he would seek a "certificate of honesty" from the Delhi voters and that till then he would not be the CM of the national capital.
After Kejriwal's annocement, speculations on the name of his possible successor floated Delhi's political spectrum for two days, with Aitish being the front runner for the CM post.
According to reports, Atishi's name was also proposed at the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting held at Arvind Kejriwal's residence last night. Her name was proposed, and a consensus was agreed upon by party members.
Atishi, one of the close political confidants of Kejriwal, held several important portfolios in government while the party's top leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal, were in jail in the excise scam case.
Atishi's responsibilities include finance, planning, PWD, water, power, education, higher education, services and publicity. Since the party's formation, she has made substantial contributions to its expansion and progress.
Who is Delhi's new CM Atishi?
Atishi, born on June 8, 1981, was raised in an academic household in Delhi. Her parents, Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi, both hold positions as professors at Delhi University.
Atishi did her undergraduation from Delhi University's St. Stephen's College. She then received a Chevening scholarship, which allowed her to further her studies at the University of Oxford. There, she completed her master's programme. Later, as a Rhodes scholar, Atishi attended Magdalen College in Oxford in 2005.
In AAP since 2012, Marlena has played a key role in the party and government since the chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, appointed her advisor to deputy CM Manish Sisodia, primarily for education.
Party functionaries highlight that her importance was evident when Kejriwal, while in jail, proposed that Atishi would hoist the national flag on his behalf at the Delhi government's Independence Day function.
However, lieutenant governor V K Saxena nominated Minister Kailash Gahlot for the task instead. As the MLA representing Kalkaji assembly constituency, Atishi has been at the forefront of the party's communication efforts and has taken the lead in addressing crucial issues such as the Delhi water dispute with neighbouring states.
She has been vocal on day-to-day party affairs and in taking on BJP and LG.
Since the party's formation, Atishi has made substantial contributions to its expansion and progress, playing a critical role as a key member of the manifesto drafting committee for the 2013 assembly elections and formulating the party's objectives and vision.
Surname controversy
In 2018, Atishi, who was AAP's candidate for the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat, dropped her 'Marlena' surname from her Twitter handle and also from all publicity material after a whisper campaign, allegedly by the BJP, that she is a Christian.
She said that she wanted to "stop the BJP from polarizing the election".
Her Twitter handle, @AtishiMarlena, has been changed to @AtishiAAP.The official website of the party now reflects the change.
Atishi, a Punjabi Rajput, was given the title "Marlena" by her parents as a tribute to communist icons Marx and Lenin.
Rebutting the BJP’s charge that AAP was engaging in caste politics to gain an advantage in elections, the party asserted that dropping Marlena was Atishi’s own decision.
While addressing a Sunday's rally CM Kejriwal, out on bail in an alleged liquor policy scam , announced that he would seek a "certificate of honesty" from the Delhi voters and that till then he would not be the CM of the national capital.
After Kejriwal's annocement, speculations on the name of his possible successor floated Delhi's political spectrum for two days, with Aitish being the front runner for the CM post.
According to reports, Atishi's name was also proposed at the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting held at Arvind Kejriwal's residence last night. Her name was proposed, and a consensus was agreed upon by party members.
Atishi, one of the close political confidants of Kejriwal, held several important portfolios in government while the party's top leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal, were in jail in the excise scam case.
Atishi's responsibilities include finance, planning, PWD, water, power, education, higher education, services and publicity. Since the party's formation, she has made substantial contributions to its expansion and progress.
Who is Delhi's new CM Atishi?
Atishi, born on June 8, 1981, was raised in an academic household in Delhi. Her parents, Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi, both hold positions as professors at Delhi University.
Atishi did her undergraduation from Delhi University's St. Stephen's College. She then received a Chevening scholarship, which allowed her to further her studies at the University of Oxford. There, she completed her master's programme. Later, as a Rhodes scholar, Atishi attended Magdalen College in Oxford in 2005.
In AAP since 2012, Marlena has played a key role in the party and government since the chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, appointed her advisor to deputy CM Manish Sisodia, primarily for education.
Party functionaries highlight that her importance was evident when Kejriwal, while in jail, proposed that Atishi would hoist the national flag on his behalf at the Delhi government's Independence Day function.
However, lieutenant governor V K Saxena nominated Minister Kailash Gahlot for the task instead. As the MLA representing Kalkaji assembly constituency, Atishi has been at the forefront of the party's communication efforts and has taken the lead in addressing crucial issues such as the Delhi water dispute with neighbouring states.
She has been vocal on day-to-day party affairs and in taking on BJP and LG.
Since the party's formation, Atishi has made substantial contributions to its expansion and progress, playing a critical role as a key member of the manifesto drafting committee for the 2013 assembly elections and formulating the party's objectives and vision.
Surname controversy
In 2018, Atishi, who was AAP's candidate for the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat, dropped her 'Marlena' surname from her Twitter handle and also from all publicity material after a whisper campaign, allegedly by the BJP, that she is a Christian.
She said that she wanted to "stop the BJP from polarizing the election".
Her Twitter handle, @AtishiMarlena, has been changed to @AtishiAAP.The official website of the party now reflects the change.
Atishi, a Punjabi Rajput, was given the title "Marlena" by her parents as a tribute to communist icons Marx and Lenin.
Rebutting the BJP’s charge that AAP was engaging in caste politics to gain an advantage in elections, the party asserted that dropping Marlena was Atishi’s own decision.
