ED arrests Arvind Kejriwal: Will Delhi get new CM like Jharkhand?

While AAP has challenged the HC order declining Kejriwal immunity from arrest, top AAP leaders have gone into a huddle to plan their next move

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on Thursday after questioning by Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in connection with the excise policy case.

While AAP has challenged the HC order declining Kejriwal immunity from arrest, top AAP leaders have gone into a huddle to plan their next move. The party has already moved the Supreme Court against the high court order.

The developments in Delhi come close on the heels of a similar situation in Jharkhand last month, when JMM leader and former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren was arrested by ED in a money laundering case. Soren resigned as the chief minister after his arrest, prompting a frantic search for his successor. Seraikella MLA Champai Soren was picked to replace him.

Atishi, who is seen as No.2 in the Delhi government, asserted that Kejriwal will remain the chief minister of Delhi.

However, questions may still arise about Kejriwal's replacement in case the AAP leader doesn't get court relief and is forced to resign as CM.

Here are the two key frontrunners:

1. Atishi

Atishi is a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party who holds over 14 portfolios including the crucial finance, revenue, PWD, services, power and education. She joined the party at the time of its inception. A key member of the Manifesto Drafting Committee of the party for the 2013 Assembly election, she played an important role in shaping the party’s policies in the early stages of formation.

2. Saurabh Bharadwaj

Bharadwaj is the national spokesperson of AAP and holds the portfolios of health, urban development, tourism, flood control and art and culture. He represents the Greater Kailash constituency in the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

Bhardwaj shot to fame when he substantiated AAP’s claim that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) could be hacked. He has also served as the vice-chairperson of the Delhi Jal Board. An engineer by profession, Bharadwaj is a close aide of the Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal, who has over the years, entrusted him with key responsibilities.