On day-1 as CM, Atishi leaves main seat empty for Kejriwal | see image

AAP leader Atishi officially assumed office as Delhi's Chief Minister on Monday, making history as the youngest individual to hold the position at just 43 years old. Her swearing-in ceremony took place on Saturday after Arvind Kejriwal resigned amid legal challenges related to the excise policy case. In a poignant gesture, Atishi left Kejriwal’s chair empty during her first day in office, emphasizing his significant role in shaping Delhi's governance.

Atishi is not only the third woman to serve as Delhi’s Chief Minister, following Sheila Dikshit and Sushma Swaraj, but she also retains 13 key portfolios, including education, revenue, finance, and power. The new cabinet features five ministers, with Mukesh Ahlawat joining as a new face, responsible for labour, SC/ST, and employment-related departments. Existing ministers like Gopal Rai and Saurabh Bharadwaj continue to oversee critical portfolios such as health and urban development.

In her inaugural address, Atishi praised Kejriwal, calling it an "emotional moment" and urging the people of Delhi to work towards reinstating him as CM. Drawing a parallel to the legendary figure Bharat, she expressed her commitment to serve for four months, reminiscent of Bharat placing Lord Ram’s 'khadaun' on the throne. This reference shows her intention to honor Kejriwal’s legacy while navigating her brief tenure ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in February 2025. Atishi also faces the challenge of addressing pending projects and launching new initiatives to ensure her administration’s success.