Atishi To Be Next Delhi Chief Minister With Unanimous AAP MLAs' Support

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday proposed the name of Education Minister Atishi as the next Chief Minister of Delhi. The proposal was met with unanimous approval, as all AAP MLAs supported the nomination.

"It has been unanimously decided that Atishi will hold the responsibility of Chief Minister of Delhi till the next elections," said Delhi's Environment Minister's Gopal Rai in a press conference following the party meet.

Kejriwal's resignation will be sent by this evening and decision on the cabinet will be taken later, Rai added.

This move follows Kejriwal’s release on bail from Tihar jail in connection with the Delhi liquor excise policy case on Friday. After walking out of prison, the AAP chief had announced plans to resign within 48 hours, adding that he would not sit in the chief minister's chair until the public provided him a "certificate of honesty."

"There will be elections in Delhi in the next few months. If you think I'm corrupt, don't vote for me. If you think I'm honest, then vote for me. Every vote will be a certificate of my honesty. Only if I win, will I return as chief minister," Kejriwal told AAP workers and supporters on Sunday.

Kejriwal’s decision to step down as CM has drawn criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party, with spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari labelling the move a “publicity stunt.” 

"He knows that his image among the people of Delhi is not of an honest leader but of a corrupt one," Bhandari said.

While granting his bail, the court noted that while the CBI’s arrest was not illegal, bail is a fundamental right. It ordered his release after a Rs 10 lakh bail bond was posted but restricted him from commenting on the case or performing any official duties until the trial concludes.