From education reformer to Delhi CM: The 'meteoric' rise of Atishi

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal resigned after a meeting with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Tuesday, making way for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi to take over.

She is one of the closest and trusted aides of Kejriwal. Her elevation to chief minister comes in the wake of reshuffling within AAP, including senior leaders like Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain embroiled in legal controversies that saw both resign from their posts.

Delhi’s lone woman minister, she will also hold the distinction of being only the third woman chief minister of the national capital after Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit.

Atishi, a 43-year-old Rhodes scholar and Oxford University alumna, commands the highest number of portfolios, including Finance, Education, Power, Public Works Department and Services, in the Delhi government.

She was a founding member of AAP and played a pivotal role in shaping its policies, including as a key member of the 2013 Manifesto Drafting Committee.

Atishi spent seven years in a Madhya Pradesh village, focusing on organic farming and progressive education. This experience played a crucial role in strengthening her dedication to political change, a party functionary said.

She is instrumental in transforming government schools. Her role in implementing these reforms has earned her national recognition, with her influence extending beyond education to other critical issues like Delhi’s water crisis and women’s safety.

An MLA from Kalkaji, Atishi joined the Delhi cabinet in March 2023 following Sisodia’s resignation over the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy. Since then, she has taken on a leading role in government projects, often serving as face of the AAP after Kejriwal and Sisodia were put behind bars.

When Swati Maliwal alleged assault by Bibhav Kumar, she vehemently thwarted the criticism by the opposition parties.

Atishi’s leadership came into focus during the 2023 Independence Day celebrations, where she was selected to hoist the national flag in Kejriwal’s absence. Although VK Saxena halted the plans, it marked a symbolic moment in her rise within the party.

In 2022, she addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, highlighting Delhi as a global model for urban governance.

Having started her career with grassroots organisations, Atishi has steadily risen through the ranks of the party. According to reports, Atishi’s name was also proposed at the Political Affairs Committee meeting held at Kejriwal’s residence on Monday. Her name was proposed, and a consensus was agreed upon by party members.