Atishi takes charge as Delhi CM with Arvind Kejriwal’s empty chair in office: ’Like Bharat kept Lord Ram’s khadaun...’

Atishi took charge as the Chief Minister of Delhi on Monday — with an empty chair set aside for Arvind Kejriwal in her office. The senior AAP leader opted to use a white chair next to the Chief Ministerial seat used by her predecessor and expressed hope that the people of Delhi would re-elect Kejriwal to the top post. The move has sparked backlash from several quarters with the BJP and Congress insisting that it was a “grave insult” to the constitutional rules and the post of chief minister.

“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,” Atishi said after taking charge.

The BJP and Congress however accused her of being a “dummy chief minister” and wondered whether Kejriwal would still be running the Delhi government ‘through remote control’.

“I have a strong objection to this that a person who was in jail for a corruption case is being compared to Lord Ram. Atishi has crossed all limits and presented herself as a dummy chief minister,” added Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav.

The Delhi CM said that she was confident the people of Delhi would make Kejriwal Chief Minister yet again during the upcoming polls. The AAP supremo has said he would only return to the post after getting a renewed mandate from the people of Delhi. The surprise announcement was made two days after Kejrwal exited Tihar jail on bail after five months of incarceration.

Both Kejriwal and his former Deputy Manish Sisodia have sought a ‘certificate of honesty’ from the people of Delhi and insisted they would only reprise their administrative roles if the AAP was reelected.

(With inputs from agencies)