Delhi Chief Minister and leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal, is approaching the end of his voluntary 48-hour deadline to step down. A key meeting with the Lieutenant Governor is scheduled for 4:30 pm today, though the party has yet to announce who will replace him. On Monday evening, the AAP’s Political Affairs Committee, made up of 12 members, convened at Kejriwal’s residence to discuss potential candidates for the position.
Key Points on Kejriwal’s Resignation:
Following his bail granted by the Supreme Court, Kejriwal announced on Sunday his decision to resign from his role as Delhi Chief Minister. He also expressed a desire to seek public validation to clear his name.
In an address to party members outside the AAP office, Kejriwal stated, “I will resign in two days and ask the public whether they believe I am honest. Until I hear back from them, I will not occupy the Chief Minister’s chair.”
Among the top candidates to succeed him is Atishi, a senior leader in the party. Other possible contenders include Saurabh Bhardwaj, Raghav Chadha, Kailash Gahlot, and Sanjay Singh.
Despite multiple meetings on Sunday and Monday, no final decision has been made regarding Kejriwal’s replacement. Kejriwal has consulted with individual members of the Political Affairs Committee to gather input on who should assume the role.
Kejriwal has called for early elections in Delhi, suggesting that they be held in November alongside those in Maharashtra, despite Delhi’s elections being scheduled for February. He declared, “I will only resume my position after the public affirms my honesty. I want to undergo a trial by fire after my release from jail.”
Manish Sisodia, Kejriwal’s former deputy, has also pledged not to take on the Chief Minister role. Sisodia, who was jailed in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, was recently released on bail after 18 months in custody.
Despite Kejriwal’s return, his legal challenges persist. The Supreme Court has imposed several restrictions on him, including prohibiting him from accessing his office and the Delhi Secretariat without approval from Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. This significantly curtails his ability to function as Chief Minister.
Kejriwal’s announcement has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, questioning why he has delayed his resignation.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Congress has dismissed the resignation plan as a political maneuver. Delhi Congress leader Devendra Yadav criticized Kejriwal for not stepping down during recent crises, such as the city’s flood and water shortage issues.
Kejriwal was detained by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 26 in connection with a corruption case. He is currently challenging the Delhi High Court’s August 5 ruling that upheld his arrest.
