Atishi Expected to be Sworn in as Delhi Chief Minister This Saturday Evening

The swearing-in of AAP leader Atishi as Delhi's chief minister is anticipated at Raj Niwas on Saturday evening, according to officials. The exact timing of the ceremony remains uncertain as the process for the resignation of outgoing chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, the formation of a new government, and the oath-taking is still ongoing. The event is expected to occur late Saturday afternoon or evening once all formalities are completed.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sources suggested that the ceremony might take place around 4:30 pm on Saturday. However, there is no confirmation on whether Atishi will be sworn in alongside her council of ministers. The ceremony is likely to be modest due to Kejriwal's resignation and delays in approvals, leaving limited time for preparations, an AAP leader mentioned.

Government Formation and Approval Process

Following Kejriwal's resignation as Delhi chief minister and his council of ministers' resignation to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Tuesday, files regarding both the resignation and Atishi's government formation were sent to President Droupadi Murmu for approval. Officials proposed September 21 as the date for the swearing-in ceremony. Sources indicated that notifications for government formation and oath-taking were expected at the LG office late Friday night or the following day.

Earlier this week, AAP MLAs convened and unanimously selected Atishi as the leader of the ruling legislature party. The new council of ministers announced by AAP includes Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Imran Hussain, and newcomer Mukesh Ahlawat, a first-time MLA from Sultanpur Majra. Rai, Gahlot, Bharadwaj, and Hussain served as ministers in Kejriwal's outgoing government.

Kejriwal's Resignation and Future Plans

Kejriwal, who is also the national convener of AAP, was released from Tihar jail on September 13 after spending over five months there due to an excise policy case. In a surprising move two days later, Kejriwal announced his resignation amid BJP's accusations against him concerning corruption. He stated he would return as chief minister after receiving a "certificate of honesty" from Delhi's people in the upcoming assembly elections.

The transition in leadership within Delhi's government marks a significant moment for AAP. As Atishi prepares to assume her new role, the party faces challenges ahead with upcoming elections and public scrutiny. The focus remains on ensuring a smooth transition while addressing any concerns arising from recent political developments.