NEW DELHI: Atishi will be taking over as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, following the resignation of incumbent CM Arvind Kejriwal. The decision was announced on Tuesday after Kejriwal proposed Atishi’s name as his successor during a meeting with the party’s legislators.
Kejriwal, who has been at the helm of Delhi’s government since 2013, expressed confidence in Atishi’s ability to lead the state with the party unanimously agreeing to the transition.
Her elevation comes after years of dedicated service to both the party and the people of Delhi, particularly in the field of education reform.
Early life and why she dropped her surname
Atishi was born on June 8, 1981, to Delhi University professors Vijay Singh and Tripta Singh. Her father, a strong believer in socialist ideologies, named her “Atishi Marlena,” combining the names of Marx and Lenin.
However, she dropped “Marlena” from her name during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to avoid confusion over her religious background, which led many to incorrectly assume she was Christian.
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Coming from a Punjabi Rajput family, Atishi’s personal and professional identity is deeply tied to her political commitment. She now goes by the name “Atishi AAP” on social media, highlighting her strong bond with the party.
Political journey and contributions
Atishi’s political career has been defined by her significant contributions to the field of education. Currently serving as the MLA from Kalkaji and Minister of Education, Public Works Department (PWD), Culture, and Tourism, she has become one of the most prominent faces within AAP.
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Previously, she served as an advisor to Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, particularly focusing on education between 2015 and 2018.
Her work in transforming government schools in Delhi has earned her widespread recognition, both domestically and internationally.
Atishi’s reforms have been hailed as groundbreaking in improving the public education system, a sector that has been a flagship focus of AAP since it came to power.