Atishi Takes Charge as Delhi CM Amid Controversy: A Symbolic Move or Mere Political Strategy?

In a political landscape filled with drama and symbolism, Atishi, a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, has taken the helm as the Chief Minister of Delhi. This significant move comes with a peculiar twist — an empty chair symbolizing the absence of her predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal. The visual alone has sparked debate, with supporters lauding the symbolism and critics calling it an insult to constitutional norms. 

A Symbolic Gesture: Kejriwal's ‘Khadaun’ Moment 

On Monday, Atishi officially assumed the Chief Minister's office. What stood out, however, was the setup of her office. While she sat in a white chair, the primary Chief Ministerial chair, typically reserved for Kejriwal, remained vacant. Drawing a parallel to the Hindu epic *Ramayana*, she stated, "I will work for four months as the chief minister of Delhi like Bharat did by keeping Lord Ram's khadaun (sandals) on the throne." This analogy has struck a chord with many AAP supporters, who see Atishi’s tenure as temporary, just as Bharat ruled in Lord Ram’s absence. 

However, Atishi was quick to emphasize that this transition is not permanent. She expressed confidence in the people of Delhi, stating that they would once again elect Arvind Kejriwal as the Chief Minister in the upcoming polls. For Atishi, this is a period of stewardship rather than leadership, where she aims to uphold Kejriwal’s policies and governance style until his return. 

The Opposition's Outcry: "An Insult to the Constitution" 

The BJP and Congress were swift in their condemnation of this move, branding Atishi a "dummy chief minister" and accusing AAP of undermining the office of the Chief Minister. Both parties questioned the ethics of having an "absent leader" symbolically rule through an empty chair, with Delhi Congress Chief Devender Yadav openly criticizing the analogy to Lord Ram. 

"I strongly object to this," stated Delhi Congress Chief Devender Yadav, voicing his disapproval. "It's unacceptable to equate a person who was imprisoned for corruption with Lord Ram. Atishi has gone too far and is simply acting as a puppet Chief Minister." 

This criticism has raised important questions: Does Atishi have the autonomy to govern, or is she merely a placeholder for Kejriwal, who is still viewed as the "real" leader despite his legal troubles? The imagery of the empty chair has also been described as a “grave insult” to the office of the Chief Minister, with opposition leaders accusing AAP of violating constitutional principles. 

Kejriwal's Return: A Renewed Mandate? 

The backdrop to this dramatic leadership transition is Arvind Kejriwal’s recent release from Tihar jail, where he spent five months in connection to corruption charges. Despite these legal challenges, Kejriwal continues to command significant political influence in Delhi. His decision to step down temporarily, along with his former Deputy Manish Sisodia, was framed as a move to seek a "certificate of honesty" from the people. 

Both leaders have repeatedly insisted that they will only resume their administrative roles if AAP wins a fresh mandate from Delhi's voters. Kejriwal, in particular, has sought to position himself as a victim of political vendetta, maintaining that the corruption charges were part of a larger conspiracy by the BJP to tarnish his image and derail his political career. 

Atishi echoed this sentiment when she took office, pointing out that “the BJP left no stone unturned to tarnish his image." For the AAP, the upcoming polls will be a test not just of governance, but of public trust in the wake of legal controversies.