Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi took charge as the new Chief Minister of Delhi on Monday. While taking charge Atishi compared her rule to that of Lord Bharat who ruled in the stead of Lord Ram in the Indian epic, the Ramayana. Atishi is now the 8th CM of Delhi and the third woman to hold the position. She has also retained the 13 portfolios she held in the Kejriwal government, including those of education, revenue, finance, power and PWD.
Taking charge on Monday, Atishi gave examples from the great Hindu text the Ramayana, drawing parallels between her and Lord Bharat, “I will work for four months as the chief minister of Delhi like Bharat did by keeping Lord Ram’s Khadaun on the throne. Arvind Kejriwal has set an example of dignity in politics by stepping down. The BJP left no stone unturned to tarnish his image. Today, I have taken the charge as Delhi CM. I am feeling the same as Lord Bharat when he took the reign after Lord Ram went on Vanvaas. Arvind Kejriwal has set a new benchmark, he was kept in jail in false cases.”
Atishi also opted to sit on a different chair as used by Kejriwal, placing an empty seat beside her chair. “For the last 2 years, the BJP has left no stone unturned in throwing muck on Arvind Kejriwal. He was put in jail for 6 months. He said that he will not sit on the CM chair again until the people of Delhi consider him honest. This chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. I am confident that in the elections to be held in February, the people of Delhi will make Arvind Kejriwal the Chief Minister again. Till then this chair will remain empty.”
Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is embroiled in an excise policy scam case and is currently out on bail, while many of AAP’s ministers are facing their own brushes with the law. Prominent Aam Aadmi Party leaders like Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh are among the many who have faced jail due to scandals.
The party’s image has been heavily hampered in the past few years due to the many controversies. AAP has so far resorted to such grand dramatic acts to woo back the public. First it was the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal shown as a great act of renunciation. Then Atishi’s appointment which was held with her touching Kejriwal’s feet. And now the new CM comparing herself with Lord Bharat and Arvind Kejriwal with Lord Ram.
Arvind Kejriwal has meanwhile vacated his offciated residence at Flagstaff road. The move was touted as Kejriwal renouncing his home to live with the common public. The bungalow itself has been subject to a barrage of controversies, with huge allegations of procedcural irregularities in its renovation. The house was even been termed as an apparent Sheesh Mahal, with a whooping 45 crores spent on its renovations.
Now it remains to be seen whether the public will be swayed by these grand acts to repair the fast falling image of the Aam Aadmi party, and whether Arvind Kejriwal still enjoys a strong backing. Or the massive and regular controversies have dented the hold of the AAAP in the capital. It will be clear soon as the elections in Delhi are only a few months away.