Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi on Monday officially assumed the charge as the eighth Chief Minister of Delhi but placed an empty chair next to hers, in a symbolic gesture towards her party chief and former CM Arvind Kejriwal.
Drawing a symbolic comparison to the Hindu epic Ramayana, Atishi said, “My situation is like that of Bharat, when Lord Shri Rama went into exile, and Bharat had to govern in his absence.”
The 43-year-old CM vowed to run the government until the upcoming Delhi elections, just as “Bharat ruled with Lord Ram’s ‘khadaun’ (sandals) on the throne”.
While placing an empty chair next to hers, Atishi said, “This chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. I am confident that the people of Delhi will reinstate him after four months.”
Atishi was sworn in as the eighth and the only third woman chief minister, after Congress’ Sheila Dikshit and BJP’s Sushma Swaraj, of Delhi on Saturday along side her Cabinet.
Atishi retained crucial departments such as education, finance, power, and PWD, managing a total of 13 portfolios. Saurabh Bharadwaj, who holds eight portfolios, took charge the same day. Newcomer Mukesh Ahlawat was entrusted with departments such as labour, SC/ST, and employment, while Gopal Rai retained his roles in development, environment, and general administration.
Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal poses five questions to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat; lashes out at PM Modi and BJP