Atishi

Atishi is a prominent leader within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and currently holds a vital position in the party as a minister of education. Formerly the Advisor to Education Minister Manish Sisodia until April 2018, Atishi played a pivotal role in the transformation of education in government-run schools in the national capital.





Born to Delhi University professors Vijay Kumar Singh and Tripta Wahi, Atishi attended Springdale School in New Delhi for her early education. She pursued a degree in history at St. Stephen's College, where she achieved the top position at Delhi University. Following this, she received a Chevening scholarship to pursue her Master's degree at Oxford University. Later, she furthered her education at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar in Educational Research, earning her second Master's degree.





Aside from her academic credentials, Atishi is a dedicated activist who spent seven years in a small Madhya Pradesh village. She actively participated in organic farming and progressive education initiatives, collaborating with various non-profit organisations, where she first encountered AAP members.





Prior to becoming a member of AAP, Atishi had dedicated a period of time to instructing history and English at Rishi Valley School in Andhra Pradesh.





Joining AAP at its inception, Atishi played a crucial role in shaping the party's policies as a key member of the Manifesto Drafting Committee for the 2013 Assembly election. Her presence as a spokesperson is marked by a pleasant and calm demeanour in television debates.





Atishi is recognised for her significant role in revamping educational institutions in Delhi. Reports indicate that she made notable strides in enhancing the infrastructure of government schools, establishing school management committees as per the Right to Education Act, implementing stricter regulations to prevent arbitrary fee hikes by private schools, and introducing the 'happiness' curriculum.





During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the AAP nominated her for the East Delhi constituency. Despite being viewed as a formidable candidate against Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely and BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir, the former cricketer-turned-politician, Atishi failed to secure sufficient votes and lost to Gambhir.





She is a significant figure within the AAP, especially after the recent arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. She claimed that the BJP had made offers to her to join their ranks or face arrest like other AAP leaders.





Following his release from arrest, CM Kejriwal made a sudden announcement that he may soon resign from his post. On 17 September, Atishi was selected as his potential successor. She took an oath on 21st September.