In a significant political development, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has elected 43-year-old Atishi Marlena Singh as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, making her the youngest to ever hold the office in the capital. This decision came following the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal, AAP’s party chief and former Delhi Chief Minister. The announcement was made during a legislative party meeting on Tuesday, putting an end to the growing speculation over Kejriwal’s successor. Kejriwal himself proposed Atishi’s name, and the decision was unanimously backed by AAP’s MLAs.
With this appointment, Atishi becomes the third woman to serve as the Chief Minister of Delhi, following the legacies of Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit. Atishi’s appointment also places her among the few women currently serving in such a high office in India, alongside leaders like Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress.
Atishi, often known simply by her first name, was originally given the middle name ‘Marlena’ by her parents—a combination of the names of Marx and Lenin, reflecting their ideological leanings. However, as she stepped deeper into political life, she dropped her surname, preferring to be known solely as Atishi.
Her journey in politics began with her deep involvement in social work. She spent seven years in a village in Madhya Pradesh, focusing on organic farming and educational reform before joining AAP at its inception. As an advisor to former Education Minister Manish Sisodia, she was instrumental in transforming Delhi’s government schools, a hallmark of AAP’s governance.
Atishi’s political career within AAP has been marked by her role in policy formulation and grassroots activism. In 2015, she participated in the Jal Satyagraha in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district, where she supported activist Alok Agarwal during protests for water rights. Though she lost the 2019 Lok Sabha election from East Delhi against BJP’s Gautam Gambhir by a significant margin, her focus on local issues and education reform resonated with many voters. In the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, Atishi won the Kalkaji seat, defeating BJP’s Dharambir Singh by over 11,000 votes.
Known for her calm demeanor and sharp focus on public welfare, Atishi’s elevation to the role of Chief Minister signifies a shift in Delhi’s political landscape. Her background in education and policy-making suggests a continued emphasis on progressive governance in the state.
