Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal declared on Sunday that he will step down from his position in the next two days. Kejriwal, who was recently released on bail from Tihar jail in connection with the excise policy case, pledged not to resume his role as chief minister until the people grant him a “certificate of honesty.”
Kejriwal stated that a meeting of AAP MLAs would be held in the coming days to appoint a new leader who will take over the chief minister’s office.
“I will only sit on the CM’s chair after the people give me a certificate of honesty,” Kejriwal said. “I want to give my ‘agnipariksha’ after coming out of jail. I will become the chief minister, and Manish Sisodia will return as deputy CM only when people declare us honest.”
In addition, Kejriwal called for early elections in Delhi, proposing that they take place in November 2024, ahead of the scheduled February 2025 elections. He encouraged voters to cast their ballots in his favor if they believe in his integrity, vowing to return to the CM’s chair only after being re-elected. Until then, a new leader from AAP will govern the city.
Potential Successors as Delhi Chief Minister
Kejriwal named several AAP leaders who could potentially succeed him as Delhi’s chief minister:
- Atishi: Currently responsible for five departments, including education, women and child development, and power.
- Kailash Gahlot: Oversees eight departments, including transport, law, and finance.
- Saurabh Bharadwaj: Manages seven departments, including health and vigilance.
- Gopal Rai: Handles development, environment, and wildlife.
- Imran Hussain: In charge of food, supply, and election departments.
Kejriwal reiterated that former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia would regain his position once they have earned the public’s trust and the “honest” label.
BJP Criticizes Kejriwal’s Move
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dismissed Kejriwal’s announcement as a “PR stunt.” BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused the AAP leader of attempting to restore his image, which he claimed has been tarnished by allegations of corruption.
“This is a PR stunt by Arvind Kejriwal. He knows his image among the people of Delhi is no longer of an honest leader, but a corrupt one,” Bhandari said. “He is trying to follow the ‘Sonia Gandhi model’, where she ruled behind the scenes while Manmohan Singh served as a dummy Prime Minister.”
The announcement has sparked political debate as Delhi prepares for the possibility of early elections.
