Atishi stakes claim to form new Delhi govt after Kejriwal resigns

Atishi

Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi staked her claim to form the new Delhi government on September 17 after former Delhi chief minister and the party’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal tendered his resignation to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena earlier today.

Kejriwal reached the LG Secretariat along with his Cabinet ministers to resign on Tuesday afternoon, two days after announcing his decision to quit as the Delhi CM.

Atishi, who was chosen as Kejriwal’s successor at an AAP legislature party meeting, said, “We have staked claim to form a new government. I will protect the interests of Delhi people.”

Elaborating on the developments, Delhi minister Gopal Rai said, “We have informed the LG about his decision. Atishi has presented her claim to form the government. We have requested the LG to decide on a date for the oath-taking ceremony so that the work of two crore people can be carried on.”

Chief minister-designate Atishi has alleged that Arvind Kejriwal has been falsely implicated and is being targeted by central probing agencies.

"The Supreme Court not only granted him but also made harsh remarks against the Centre and its probe agencies calling them a caged parrot," she added.

"Had it been some other leader, they would have kept the chief minister's chair but Kejriwal decided to go to the people's court. He resigned. This is a sad moment for us," Atishi said.

The people have vowed to choose Arvind Kejriwal as the chief minister again in the soon-to-be-held Delhi assembly polls, she added.

(With PTI inputs)