Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi LG VK Saxena to meet on September 17 at 4.30 pm; Delhi CM likely to quit

PTC Web Desk: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will be meeting Lieutenant Governor  VK Saxena on September 17 at 4.30 pm amid his announcement to tender resignation from the post of CM. Earlier in the day, Kejriwal sought time to meet Lieutenant Governor Saxena, following which the meeting was fixed.

On the other hand, senior leaders of the AAP will be meeting later in the day to deliberate on the party’s next steps and future course of action.

As per political pundits, the announcement by Kejriwal to quit as CM is nothing less than an attempt to regain control in Delhi. The Assembly elections in Delhi are scheduled for February 2025. 

Since the bail conditions for Arvind Kejriwal are stringent, the latter would not have been able to fulfill his duties as Chief Minister effectively. “Elections are planned for February, but I call for them to be advanced to November, coinciding with the Maharashtra elections,” Kejriwal stated, which clearly points towards his intention.

The timing of Kejriwal’s resignation is strategic, potentially framing him as a target of “vendetta politics” by the BJP-led Central Government. Even if elections are held in February rather than November, the appointment of a different Chief Minister could still play to Kejriwal’s advantage. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is largely centered around Kejriwal, and any new CM would likely operate under his direction, making the transition effectively a Kejriwal-led initiative with a temporary change in leadership.

By resigning now, Kejriwal may be seeking to garner public sympathy and energise his supporters, which could prove beneficial for the AAP in the forthcoming elections.

Frontrunners for CM post

Atishi: Delhi Minister Atishi, who oversees crucial portfolios such as education and Public Works Department (PWD), is a prominent contender. An Oxford University alumna and Rhodes scholar, Atishi has played a significant role in the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) major initiative to reform education in Delhi’s schools. Representing Kalkaji, the 43-year-old was appointed minister following the arrest of Manish Sisodia in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scandal. When Kejriwal and Sisodia were in jail, Atishi effectively communicated the party’s stance. On August 15, Kejriwal selected her to raise the national flag at the Delhi Government’s Independence Day celebration. Although the plan was thwarted by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, her role remains significant.

Saurabh Bharadwaj: Saurabh Bharadwaj, a three-time MLA from Greater Kailash, holds the portfolios of vigilance and health in the Kejriwal administration. He was appointed minister following Manish Sisodia’s arrest related to the liquor policy case. Earlier, Bharadwaj served as a minister in Arvind Kejriwal’s brief 49-day government and has a background as a software engineer. Additionally, he is a national spokesperson for AAP and was a key voice for the party when top leaders were in jail.

Raghav Chadha: Raghav Chadha is a member of the AAP’s national executive and political affairs committee and serves as a Rajya Sabha MP. A former chartered accountant, Chadha has been with AAP since its founding and earlier served as an MLA from Rajinder Nagar. He played a vital role in AAP’s impressive victory in the Punjab state elections in 2022. At 35, Chadha is recognised as one of the leading young politicians in India and is noted for representing AAP’s positions in Parliament.

Kailash Gahlot: Kailash Gahlot, a lawyer by profession, is a senior member of the Delhi Government, handling key portfolios, including transport, finance, and home affairs. Serving as MLA from Najafgarh since 2015, Gahlot has extensive experience as an advocate in both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. He was also a member of the high court bar association’s executive committee from 2005 to 2007.

Sanjay Singh: Sanjay Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP since 2018, is a prominent AAP figure known for his dynamic speeches in Parliament. With a diploma in Mining Engineering, Singh is a founding member of AAP and serves on its national executive and political affairs committee. He frequently represents the party in media interactions on key issues. Singh was recently arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor policy scandal but is currently out on bail, alongside Kejriwal and Sisodia.