Aam Aadmi Party boss Arvind Kejriwal quit as Delhi Chief Minister – in favour of colleague Atishi – Tuesday evening, capping a dramatic four days following his release on bail in the liquor policy case.
Mr Kejriwal met Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena – the centre’s rep in the national capital – at his residence to formally announce his resignation. He was accompanied by his successor, Atishi, and ex deputy Manish Sisodia, who was also arrested in the liquor policy case and is also out on bail.
Earlier today the AAP said Atishi had been unanimously selected as leader of its legislative party, i.e., leader of its MLAs, and would replace Mr Kejriwal till the next Assembly election, which is due in February. Mr Kejriwal has, though, called for an early election, perhaps as soon as next month.
On Sunday, two days after his release on bail, Arvind Kejriwal dropped a political bombshell, even surprising some within his own party. Mr Kejriwal – who has staunchly denied corruption and money-laundering charges in the liquor policy case, and has accused the BJP of framing him – declared he would not govern the national capital till he gets “justice from the people’s court”.
