New Delhi: Delhi Congress Chief Devendra Yadav criticized the appointment of Atishi as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, describing her tenure as a temporary measure lasting just three months. Yadav expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and claimed that Congress would form the next government in 2025.
Yadav stated, "I extend best wishes to the new chief minister and hope she addresses the public’s issues. However, the AAP government cannot escape the promises they made. Her role as Chief Minister is only for three months, and AAP has been exposed. Congress will have its Chief Minister in 2025," he told ANI.
In a sharp criticism of Atishi, Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal alleged that the new Chief Minister's parents had previously written mercy petitions to commute the death sentence of Afzal Guru, a convict in the 2001 Parliament attack case. Maliwal labeled Atishi as a "Dummy CM," expressing concern for Delhi’s future. She also shared a purported letter, which she claimed was the mercy petition written by Atishi’s parents.
Earlier in the day, Arvind Kejriwal, the Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and outgoing Delhi Chief Minister, proposed Atishi as his successor in a meeting with party MLAs. Atishi was then elected as the leader of the Delhi AAP Legislative Party. Kejriwal is expected to submit his resignation to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 4:30 pm today, after which Atishi will likely take the oath of office.
Kejriwal’s resignation announcement came after his release from Tihar Jail, following bail granted by the Supreme Court in a corruption case linked to the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam. The Supreme Court imposed conditions on Kejriwal’s release, including refraining from public comments on the case and attending all court hearings unless exempted. Additionally, Kejriwal has called for early elections in Delhi, proposing to advance the polls to November instead of the scheduled February date.
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