Arvind Kejriwal resigns as Atishi named next Delhi Chief Minister; submits papers to LG Saxena | What forced him to quit?

PTC Web Desk: AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal has tendered his resignation as the Delhi Chief Minister, two days after the announcement in this regard. Kejriwal, along with his Cabinet colleagues, called on Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena this evening, where he submitted his resignation to him. Earlier in the day, AAP legislators named Atishi as the next Delhi CM.

At LG Saxena's residence, he was accompanied by his successor Atishi and former deputy Manish Sisodia, who was also arrested in the Delhi excise policy case, but is now out on bail.

Atishi has been unanimously chosen as the leader of its legislative party, taking over as the leader of the MLAs from Arvind Kejriwal until the next Assembly election, scheduled for February. However, Arvind Kejriwal has called for an early election, possibly as soon as next month.

What forced Arvind Kejriwal to resign?

Arvind Kejriwal's decision to resign soon after receiving bail comes from a variety of strategic and political reasons, each aimed at reclaiming his moral standing and strengthening his position ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.

Arvind Kejriwal rose to national prominence during the 2011 India Against Corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, which pushed for the Jan Lokpal Bill. As a former bureaucrat and self-styled anti-corruption crusader, Kejriwal’s political career was built on a foundation of integrity. However, his reputation took a severe hit following allegations of corruption and his subsequent arrest in the Delhi excise policy case. Staying in jail on graft charges was damaging to his credibility. Had he resigned while in jail, it might have been seen as an admission of governance failure.

Another reason can be Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence in Civil Lines, Delhi, has been embroiled in controversy due to a Rs 45 crore renovation, which was criticised by the BJP for excessive expenditure. With investigations underway and several engineers already suspended, Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to vacate the residence adds to his attempt to distance himself from corruption charges. 

The conditions of Kejriwal’s bail would have also prevented him from accessing his office at the Delhi Secretariat, limiting his ability to function effectively as chief minister. Additionally, recent amendments to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, which grant more authority to the Lieutenant Governor, particularly in controlling the bureaucracy, have reduced Kejriwal's power. 

Kejriwal’s resignation has also caught the BJP off guard. The BJP had been seeking his removal over corruption allegations, but by stepping down on his own terms, Kejriwal seems to have thwarted their strategy. 

With Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia focusing on campaigning rather than governance, their primary goal now seem to secure victory in the next Assembly election.