Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has triggered significant political speculation by announcing his intention to resign within two days and seek early elections in Delhi. He made this declaration after his release on bail in the excise policy scam case, stating that he would only return to the Chief Minister’s post once the public gives him a “certificate of honesty.” While Kejriwal kept his potential successor’s name under wraps, several key leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are being considered for the role, including:
- Atishi: A prominent figure in Delhi’s education reforms, Atishi is viewed as a frontrunner for the Chief Minister position. She holds important portfolios like Finance and Education and has been a critical figure in the government’s work during Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia’s absence.
- Saurabh Bharadwaj: Close to Kejriwal and managing key departments such as Health and Urban Development, Bharadwaj is also seen as a potential candidate.
- Gopal Rai: As a long-standing member of Kejriwal’s Cabinet since 2015, Rai has overseen the Environment Ministry, making him another strong contender.
- Kailash Gahlot: Holding multiple portfolios including Transport, Law, and Women and Child Development, Gahlot’s name has also surfaced in discussions about the next Chief Minister.
Kejriwal’s decision has invited sharp criticism from the BJP, which labeled his resignation announcement as a “confession of crime,” with some claiming it was part of internal party conflict or a political strategy to garner sympathy ahead of elections. The situation remains fluid, with Kejriwal set to meet with AAP MLAs to finalize the decision on his successor.
