Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to resign today, marking the end of a self-imposed 48-hour deadline he announced after securing bail from the Supreme Court on Friday. Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation comes amidst ongoing legal challenges and intense political scrutiny. He will meet with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 4:30 PM to formally step down, but the identity of his successor remains unknown. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has promised to announce the new Chief Minister at noon.
The dramatic turn of events began when Arvind Kejriwal declared his intention to resign two days after his bail, stating his aim to clear his name in the court of public opinion. He appealed to the people of Delhi to judge his innocence or guilt based on his work during his tenure. Despite his resignation, Arvind Kejriwal remains entangled in legal issues, with the Supreme Court’s restrictions preventing him from accessing his office or signing official documents without the Lieutenant Governor’s consent.
In the wake of Arvind Kejriwal’s decision, speculation is rife about his successor. The list of potential candidates includes prominent AAP leaders such as Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Raghav Chadha, Kailash Gahlot, and Sanjay Singh. However, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who was also arrested in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, is not a candidate due to his ongoing legal troubles.
Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation announcement has prompted reactions from various political quarters. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized Arvind Kejriwal for not resigning immediately, questioning his commitment to addressing the issues facing Delhi. On the other hand, the Delhi Congress, despite being part of the INDIA bloc alliance with AAP, labeled Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation as a political stunt. Delhi Congress Chief Devendra Yadav suggested that Arvind Kejriwal should have resigned earlier, particularly when Delhi was grappling with floods and water shortages.
Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation does not resolve his legal difficulties. Although the Supreme Court has allowed him to remain in office, it has imposed significant restrictions, affecting his ability to function effectively as Chief Minister. The AAP has indicated that elections for the Delhi Assembly are scheduled for February next year, with speculation about whether a November election could coincide with elections in Maharashtra.
As Delhi awaits the announcement of its new Chief Minister, the political landscape remains charged with anticipation and debate over the implications of Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation and the future direction of the AAP.
