Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s 48-hour self-imposed deadline to resign from his position ends today. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader is scheduled to meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena at 4.30 pm, sparking anticipation about whether Kejriwal will step down. However, it remains unclear who will succeed him if he resigns.
Here are the top 10 points on this developing story:
- Arvind Kejriwal announced his intention to resign after being granted bail by the Supreme Court on Saturday. He stated that he now seeks to clear his name in the “people’s court.”
- On Sunday, Kejriwal made the bold declaration that he would resign within 48 hours. He appealed to Delhi’s residents, saying, “I got justice from the legal court, now I will get justice from the people’s court… If I have worked for you, vote for me.”
- Despite numerous meetings on Sunday and Monday, it is still unclear who will take over as the next Chief Minister of Delhi if Kejriwal follows through with his resignation.
- On Monday, Kejriwal sought the opinions of AAP’s Political Affairs Committee and held one-on-one discussions with several senior leaders, according to party member Saurabh Bhardwaj.
- Kejriwal’s former Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia, has ruled himself out as a successor, having made a similar pledge to stay out of office. Sisodia was jailed for 18 months in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case before receiving bail.
- The list of potential successors includes prominent AAP leaders such as Atishi, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Raghav Chadha, Kailash Gahlot, and Sanjay Singh.
- Kejriwal has called for early elections in Delhi, proposing that they coincide with Maharashtra’s elections in November. The Delhi Assembly elections are currently scheduled for February next year.
- Even if re-elected, Kejriwal’s legal issues remain unresolved. The Supreme Court has restricted his ability to function as Chief Minister, barring him from visiting his office, signing files, or entering the Delhi Secretariat without the consent of the Lieutenant Governor.
- The BJP has criticized Kejriwal’s resignation announcement, questioning why he has not stepped down immediately instead of waiting.
- The Delhi Congress has called Kejriwal’s announcement a political stunt. Delhi Congress chief Devendra Yadav said, “It would have been better if he had resigned when Delhi was facing floods and drinking water shortages.”
