New Delhi: In less than an hour, Atishi Singh will soon take on the mantle of becoming Delhi’s youngest Chief Minister (CM) upon the resignation of the outgoing CM, Arvind Kejriwal. The speculation surrounding the Delhi’s top cabinet post has been settled. Atishi, 43, received approval from the top leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to succeed Arvind Kejriwal.
Atishi, Delhi’s only woman minister, is Kejriwal’s close and trusted aide. Her portfolio includes key departments such as Education, Power, Water, PWD, and Services.
As one of the senior ministers, she became the face of the Delhi government following the arrests of Kejriwal and Sisodia in connection with the alleged liquor scam, a controversy that involved allegations of illegal distribution and sale of liquor.
Atishi’s rise to power, however, has not been without criticism. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused Kejriwal of selecting a “puppet” to maintain control within AAP amid reports of internal power struggles.
Atishi was born on June 8, 1981, to Delhi University (DU) professors Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi, hailing from a Rajput family with Punjabi roots.
Atishi was born on June 8, 1981, to Delhi University (DU) professors Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi. The Minister is an Oxford University alumnus and a Rhodes scholar. She received her early education in Delhi, attending Springdales School, Pusa Road, and graduated in History from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, in 2001, a testament to her academic prowess.
Before entering politics, Atishi worked as a History and English teacher at Rishi Valley School in Andhra Pradesh.
Atishi’s political journey began with the founding of the AAP. In 2013, she became deeply involved in the party’s policy-making activities, demonstrating her early commitment to public service. Her key role in the party’s ‘Water Satyagraha’ in Madhya Pradesh in 2015 further solidified her dedication to the cause.
In 2019, Atishi was the AAP candidate for East Delhi in the Lok Sabha elections but lost to BJP’s Gautam Gambhir by a significant margin.
In 2020, Atishi was elected as an MLA from the Kalkaji Assembly constituency in the national capital. She was appointed a minister in March 2023 after Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was arrested in the excise policy case, which involved allegations of corruption and misuse of power.
Atishi’s rise has not been without controversies. Soon after her nomination as Chief Minister, Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal expressed her disapproval, criticising Atishi’s family for their alleged ties to Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist Afzal Guru.
Maliwal accused Atishi’s parents of writing mercy petitions on Guru’s behalf.
According to some reports, her mother, Tripta Wahi, has been linked to S.A.R. Geelani, one of the notorious faces and sympathisers of Afzal Guru.
Her father, Vijay Singh, edits a communist website called Revolutionary Democracy, which upholds the legacy of former Soviet dictator Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin.
It is worth noting that, originally named Atishi Marlena after her parents’ ideological influences—Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin—she dropped ‘Marlena’ from her name in 2019 during the Lok Sabha elections, citing concerns that it could be interpreted as a Christian affiliation.
Delhi Assembly election is to be held in February 2025. Considering the short time before the electorates give their verdict, Atishi has a challenging task ahead. The crown is undoubtedly full of thorns.
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–IANS
