Atishi Marlena has been designated as the next chief minister of Delhi as announced by Arvind Kejriwal following a legislative meeting.
During a meeting of the party's legislators, Kejriwal proposed Marlena's name, which was unanimously accepted by the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) legislative assembly on Tuesday (17 September).
However, the new cabinet will not include a deputy chief minister.
Atishi Marlena is scheduled to take the oath of office during a special assembly session on 26-27 September.
In the meantime, Kejriwal will submit his resignation to Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, on Tuesday afternoon.
Despite being arrested in a liquor case by the Enforcement Directorate, Kejriwal had not tendered his resignation from the chief minister’s position.
He remains the first chief minister in India to hold office despite being detained.
However, following his release on bail, Kejriwal announced his resignation as AAP chief and stated that he would not return to the chief minister’s role until he won re-election.
During a party conference last Sunday afternoon, he confirmed he would step down from the Chief Minister’s position in two days.
This announcement sparked discussions on who would succeed Kejriwal as chief minister.
Five AAP legislators were considered for the role: Atishi Marlena, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot, Gopal Rai, and Imran Hussain.
Additionally, discussions included Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita, who, although not actively involved in politics, had represented the party during Kejriwal’s arrest and conveyed his messages to Delhi residents.
Ultimately, Atishi Marlena emerged as the chosen successor.
Atishi now holds key portfolios in the Delhi government such as Education and Public Works Department.
An Oxford University alumnus and a Rhodes scholar, Atishi has worked extensively in the AAP's flagship exercise to overhaul education in Delhi's schools.
An MLA from Kalkaji, the 43-year-old became a minister after Manish Sisodia was arrested in a corruption case linked to Delhi's now-scrapped liquor policy. When Kejriwal and Sisodia were behind bars, Atishi articulated the party's position at party events and media exchanges.
On 15 August Kejriwal chose her to hoist the tricolour at Delhi government's Independence Day event. While Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena foiled the plan, it was clear that the AAP leadership placed immense faith in Atishi.
