Arvind Kejriwal, the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Chief Minister of Delhi, is poised to formally resign, potentially transforming the political dynamics on a national scale capital ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in early next year.
A day after the 56-year-old announced his intent to step down, the AAP held a crucial meeting on Monday to deliberate on Kejriwal’s successor as Chief Minister. The party’s highest decision-making body, the 12-member Political Affairs Committee (PAC), gathered at Kejriwal’s residence in the evening to discuss potential candidates.
After a 90-minute discussion, AAP Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj briefed the media, saying, “Kejriwal met with each leader individually and sought feedback on his replacement. Since the discussions were held separately, no one knows the details of the conversations with other leaders.”
The AAP’s legislative party is scheduled to meet today at 11:30 a.m. to continue the discussion, which will be led by the current Chief Minister. Out of the 70 seats in the Delhi Assembly, AAP currently holds 60.
Insiders suggest that Kejriwal plans to submit his resignation to Lt. Governor VK Saxena on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. “On Tuesday, Arvind Kejriwal will step down as Chief Minister. The entire process, including the appointment of his successor, will be completed within a week,” Bhardwaj added.
Sandeep Pathak, AAP’s general secretary (organization) and Rajya Sabha member, hinted that the party would soon announce the new chief minister. “Delhi will have its new chief minister in the next one or two days. The selection will take place at the legislative party meeting,” he stated.
Sources within the party, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggested that one of the current cabinet ministers could succeed Kejriwal. Currently, the Delhi cabinet comprises five ministers alongside Kejriwal: Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, and Imran Hussain.
However, there are speculations of a surprise appointment. “There is talk that a Dalit leader might be named as the next CM,” a senior party official said, also requesting anonymity. Kejriwal reportedly met with former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Monday morning, ahead of the PAC meeting, to discuss various issues, including his successor.
According to party officials, “A sitting MLA, not an MP or an office-bearer, will be the next chief minister.” The decision is expected to be finalized soon.