Delhi’s New CM

Atishi, a leader from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is set to become the new Chief Minister of Delhi, following the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal, the outgoing Chief Minister, proposed Atishi’s name for the top post. Another senior AAP leader, Kailash Gahlot, was also considered for the position, but the party has chosen Atishi. Interestingly, this time, there will be no Deputy Chief Minister appointed alongside her.

Early Life

Atishi was born on June 8, 1981, in Delhi to an academic family. Her parents, Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi, were both professors at Delhi University, which provided Atishi with a strong educational foundation from an early age. Initially known as Atishi Marlena, the middle name "Marlena" was a combination of the names Marx and Lenin, reflecting her family’s ideological influences. However, in 2018, she decided to go by only "Atishi" in her public life to emphasize her work rather than her family’s political associations.

Education

Atishi received her early education at Springdales School, Pusa Road, in Delhi. For her higher education, she attended St. Stephen’s College, one of India’s most prestigious institutions, where she completed her undergraduate degree in History in 2001. Her academic journey didn’t stop there; she went on to Oxford University in the United Kingdom, where she earned a master’s degree in history in 2003 on a Chevening Scholarship. She furthered her studies at Magdalen College, Oxford, in 2005 as a Rhodes Scholar, one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world.

Entry into Politics

Atishi’s political career began in January 2013 when she officially joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Her involvement in politics was deeply influenced by the Anti-Corruption Movement that gained significant traction in India during that time. Atishi quickly became a crucial part of the party’s policy formulation process. Her activist background also came into the limelight during the Jal Satyagraha in 2015, where she supported AAP leader Alok Agarwal in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh, during protests related to water rights. These experiences helped shape her political ideology and activism.

Lok Sabha Elections and Setbacks

In preparation for the 2019 Indian general elections, Atishi was given a significant responsibility when she was appointed as the AAP’s in-charge for East Delhi. This marked her foray into national politics, and she contested the election with hopes of winning a seat in the Lok Sabha, India’s lower house of Parliament. However, she faced a tough battle against BJP candidate and former cricketer Gautam Gambhir. Atishi finished third in the contest, with a considerable loss margin of 4.77 lakh votes, a setback that temporarily slowed her rise in national politics.

Rise in Delhi Politics

Despite the defeat in the national elections, Atishi remained a key figure in Delhi politics. The 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections proved to be a turning point in her career. Running from the Kalkaji constituency in South Delhi, Atishi won the election against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Dharambir Singh by a margin of 11,422 votes. This victory solidified her position within the AAP and the Delhi government.

Role in the Delhi Government

Following her electoral victory in 2020, Atishi was inducted into the Delhi Cabinet. She filled the important roles left vacant by the resignations of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyender Jain. Her appointment to these roles highlighted her growing influence and leadership within the AAP and Delhi’s governance.

Between 2022 and 2023, Atishi also served as the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), one of the most important committees in the Delhi Legislative Assembly. In addition, she was actively involved in various other committees focusing on Women and Child Welfare, Minority Welfare, and Education. These responsibilities allowed Atishi to play a crucial role in shaping policy and legislation in Delhi, particularly in sectors like education, which has been a key focus area for the AAP government.