Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Announces Resignation Amid Political Drama, AAP to Elect New Leader Soon
In a major political move, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he will resign from his position on September 17. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will convene a legislative meeting in the coming days to choose his successor. Kejriwal made the declaration at AAP headquarters, just days after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in connection with the 2021-22 excise policy case.
Kejriwal, who spent six months in jail on allegations of irregularities in the excise policy, stated that he would only return to the CM’s post if the public deemed him honest in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. He called for the elections to be held in November, ahead of the scheduled date in February 2025. “We will go to the people’s court to prove our innocence,” Kejriwal remarked, urging voters to certify his integrity.
Read More: Feroze Khan’s awkward reply about Sajal Aly to Indian journalist sparks fan reactions
He ruled out his longtime aide Manish Sisodia as a successor, citing Sisodia’s similar insistence on public endorsement of his honesty before assuming any leadership role. Sisodia, who spent 17 months in jail over corruption allegations in the same excise case, is reportedly not in the running for the position.
Kejriwal, first sworn in as Delhi’s CM in 2013, resigned after 49 days due to lack of support for AAP’s anti-corruption legislation. He was re-elected in 2015 with a landslide victory and again in 2020, securing 62 of 70 assembly seats. Reflecting on his current situation, he said, “My heart tells me not to sit on the CM’s chair until the court clears our name. Every vote will be a certificate of my honesty.”
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling granted Kejriwal bail but imposed several restrictions: he cannot leave the country, visit his office, or sign any official documents unless necessary. Kejriwal is also barred from making public statements regarding his alleged involvement in the case and must attend all trial hearings unless exempted.
Kejriwal criticized the case as a “fabricated plot” aimed at undermining AAP’s efforts. Speculation is now rife over who will become the next CM, with AAP leaders expected to gather soon to discuss the party’s future. Atishi, a prominent AAP minister, has been suggested as a potential successor, but no final decision has been made.
Addressing the opposition’s claims, Kejriwal dismissed concerns about his ability to govern under the bail conditions. “These restrictions don’t affect my work. If you believe in my honesty, vote for me. If not, don’t,” he stated. He reiterated his call for early elections, ideally in November alongside Maharashtra’s elections, and assured the public that another AAP member will serve as CM until then.
Opposition leaders, including BJP’s Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, welcomed Kejriwal’s decision to resign but criticized the timing, stating he should have stepped down when he was arrested. “Delhi’s people will reject AAP in the next election, as they did in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls,” Bidhuri added, accusing AAP of 10 years of corruption.
BJP’s Harish Khurana questioned the two-day delay in Kejriwal’s resignation, suggesting it was part of a political drama. “Why wait? He should resign today,” Khurana said, referring to the Supreme Court’s restrictions that essentially force Kejriwal to step down. BJP vice president Kapil Mishra called the resignation a “victory for the people of Delhi,” arguing that the assembly should be dissolved instead of electing a new CM.
As the political scene in Delhi shifts, all eyes are on AAP’s legislative party meeting, where the next chief minister will be chosen amidst ongoing speculation and political challenges.
