A star is born

Anything unexpected can happen in politics and Indian politics is a different league in that matter alone. A year ago, nobody even in their slightest guess would have thought about Atishi Singh becoming the Chief Minister of Delhi.

Accomplished women politicians Sheila Dixit of Congress and Sushma Swaraj of BJP have graced the CM chair of Delhi before. Atishi is following in their footsteps, despite her young age.

While Arvind Kejriwal was in Tihar jail on remand in the liquor case, Atishi held press conferences every day on behalf of the Aam Aadmi Party. Even then, it would have been an overstatement to guess that Atishi would become the CM of the state soon. But she did.

Despite being granted bail, Kejriwal had many restrictions to serve as Chief Minister. He is not authorized under the bail conditions to go to the Chief Minister's office or sign files. Kejriwal could technically have continued as chief minister but in some shrewd political manoeuvring, he decided to step down and hand over the reins to Atishi.

Elections in Delhi are just four months away. Therefore, Arvind Kejriwal's abdication also aims to portray his arrest and imprisonment as a part of revenge by the BJP and use it to regain power. Atishi, Delhi's third woman chief minister, is a prodigy and Kejriwal's confidante. She was born in a Punjabi family as the daughter of two erudite professors.

After pursuing higher education in Delhi and Oxford, Atishi, a teacher by then, came to the public arena as part of the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare. After being given charge as CM of the state, Atishi's maiden speech was replete with flattering remarks for Arvind Kejriwal. She even beseeched the people of the state to elect him back as CM in the impending assembly elections.

Atishi will have only a short stint in office since the election is due in four months. Despite the strangulated period, Atishi with her decisions can influence voters of Delhi, and can also cement her presence within the party as one of the future CM favourites.

Aam Aadmi Party is known for their people-friendly policies that have been talked about all across the country. So let's wish Atishi's days as Chief Minister to be meaningful and beneficial for the people of Delhi.