The announcement was made by Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal during a meeting with his party's legislators in New Delhi.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) says Delhi minister Atshi will take over as the new chief minister of India's national capital region following the resignation of incumbent Arvind Kejriwal.
The announcement was made by AAP chief Kejriwal during a meeting with his party legislators in New Delhi on Tuesday.
“Attishi steps up to lead Delhi in the run-up to the upcoming elections, which weigh on both CM Arvind Kejriwal's vision and the future of the national capital,” an AAP statement said.
Atishi, 43, is a prominent member of the decades-old party, which quickly moved into mainstream politics, although its influence is relatively small compared to older opposition parties in India. She has held many portfolios in the city government, including finance and education.
Kejriwal, 56, said on Monday that he would resign as Delhi chief minister, a day after he was released from jail on bail in a corruption case. AAP has termed his arrest as a “political conspiracy” hatched by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“Today I have come to ask people whether you consider Kejriwal honest or criminal… I will resign from the post of Chief Minister. [chief minister] Two days from today, ask people if I am honest,” he said on Sunday.
A staunch critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kejriwal is a former anti-corruption crusader and served as the Chief Minister of Delhi since 2015.
On Friday, he was granted bail by India's Supreme Court six months after he was detained in connection with alleged irregularities in the capital's liquor policy.
Speaking to reporters after the announcement on Tuesday, Atishi said she would remain chief minister for a few months. [state legislative assembly] Elections”, which are scheduled to be held in February next year.
“I will work with only one goal. We have to make Arvind Kejriwal the Chief Minister of Delhi once again,” he said, calling the outgoing leader his “guru” (practice).
“I come from an ordinary family. Had I been in any other party, I might not have been given an election ticket. But Arvind Kejriwal trusted me, made me an MLA. [legislator] And a minister and today I have been given the responsibility of chief minister,” he added.