Three days after being released from jail on bail granted by the Supreme Court in the alleged excise policy scam, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he will resign within the next two days, leading to speculation about his successor.
Kejriwal said he would hold a meeting of AAP MLAs in the next couple of days and a party leader would take over as chief minister.
Kejriwal’s announcement has fueled speculation about who might take over as chief minister in his absence. Names that are at the forefront are his wife, Sunita Kejriwal; Delhi Minister Atishi; and Gopal Rai, the AAP’s Delhi unit president.
Sunita Kejriwal, a former Indian Revenue Officer, has been actively involved in the party’s activities ever since Kejriwal’s arrest, particularly during Kejriwal’s imprisonment. Her background in government administration makes her a strong contender for the role, according to an AAP functionary, reports PTI.
Sunita Kejriwal has played a crucial role in the party’s campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls in Delhi, Gujarat and Haryana, according to the worker.
Meanwhile, Atishi, who manages 14 departments, is another prominent figure within the AAP and has been instrumental in the party’s governance since Kejriwal’s arrest. Gopal Rai, the party’s Delhi unit head, is also considered a potential candidate, given his significant role in local politics.
In his speech today, Kejriwal also called for Assembly elections to be held in November alongside Maharashtra. Kejriwal further asserted that he would resume his role only if the public affirms his integrity, calling this a form of “agnipariksha” or trial by fire.
Alleging the BJP tried to prove him corrupt, Kejriwal claimed the saffron party could not provide good schools and free electricity to people because they were corrupt. “We are honest,” he asserted.
“They slap false cases against non-BJP chief ministers. If the CMs are arrested, I urge them not to resign but run their government from jail,” the Delhi chief minister said.
“I didn’t resign (after arrest in excise policy case) because I respect democracy and the Constitution is supreme for me,” Kejriwal said and asserted that it is only the AAP that can stand up to the BJP’s “conspiracies”.
(With PTI inputs)