Atishi Sworn In As Chief Minister of Delhi
On Saturday, Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi took oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi, accompanied by five ministers. The ceremony was held at Raj Niwas in New Delhi and was attended by AAP’s national convener, Arvind Kejriwal. Alongside Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gehlot, Imran Hussain, and new member Mukesh Ahlawat were also sworn in. The Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena administered the oath of office.
Cabinet Portfolios and Responsibilities
Despite a new leadership, the allocation of governmental departments reflects continuity, with no significant changes from the previous Kejriwal government. Immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, departments were assigned to the ministers as follows:
| Minister | Departments |
|---|---|
| Atishi | 13 Departments including Public Works, Electricity, Education, Revenue, and Finance |
| Saurabh Bharadwaj | 8 Departments such as Urban Development, Health, and Tourism |
| Gopal Rai | 3 Portfolios including Development and Environment |
| Kailash Gehlot | 5 Departments like Transport and Women and Child Development |
| Imran Hussain | Food and Supplies, Election |
| Mukesh Ahlawat | Departments for Gurdwara Elections, Labour, and Employment |
Atishi’s Historic Role
Atishi, representing the Kalkaji assembly seat, is a notable figure in this new administration as she is not only the first woman to take the role of Chief Minister in the current AAP regime but also becomes the third woman ever to hold this position in Delhi’s history. Her selection as Chief Minister was made unanimously by AAP’s MLAs in a meeting held on September 17.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Priorities
The new government, while navigating through a potentially short tenure before the upcoming assembly elections set to take place in February next year, faces the crucial task of affirming its majority in the Delhi Assembly. AAP has scheduled a legislative session for September 26-27 where the government intends to advance various pending policies and welfare schemes, including the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana and Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0.
Conclusion
As Chief Minister, Atishi’s leadership will be pivotal for the Aam Aadmi Party as it continues to implement its vision for Delhi while ensuring stability and effective governance in the face of approaching elections.
