Who Will Be The Next CM Of Delhi? Is Atishi The Front-Runner To Replace Kejriwal?

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's announcement on Sunday about his resignation has ignited widespread speculation over who will succeed him, with several prominent AAP leaders emerging as potential candidates.

Among the names circulating are current Delhi legislators Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot, Gopal Rai, and Imran Hussain. Additionally, some reports suggest that Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwal, could be considered for the top post. There is also speculation that a Dalit leader may be appointed as the next Chief Minister, though no specific names have been mentioned.

Kejriwal himself has ruled out his former deputy, Manish Sisodia, as a contender. He has confirmed that the position will be filled by someone within AAP until the next elections are held.

The Delhi Assembly's current term is set to end on February 11, 2025. In the last election, held on February 8, 2020, AAP won 62 out of 70 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 8 seats.

Meanwhile, Sisodia has stated that he will campaign alongside Kejriwal, emphasizing a platform of honesty and vowing not to take any official role until he is cleared by the public.

Among the likely candidates for the chief ministerial post, Atishi stands out due to her management of several key portfolios, including education, finance, revenue, and law. Kejriwal had previously nominated her to hoist the national flag on Independence Day, but the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi appointed Kailash Gahlot for the task instead.

Kejriwal first became Chief Minister in 2013 and took his oath for the third time on February 16. As per a report in the Hindustan Times, Delhi's Chief Electoral Officer announced a special revision of the voter rolls in August, anticipating the state polls in February 2025. The exercise is expected to conclude in early January, with the final voter list to be published on January 6, 2025.