Atishi Marlena: Delhi’s New Chief Minister Emerges
New Delhi: At a press conference following a meeting of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislative party in New Delhi on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, Atishi Marlena was unanimously selected as the next chief minister of Delhi. The decision comes as Arvind Kejriwal, the current chief minister, announced his resignation, paving the way for Atishi to take on the leadership role.
According to sources cited by India Today, it was former CM Arvind Kejriwal who proposed Atishi’s name for the position of chief minister. Another contender under consideration was senior AAP leader Kailash Gahlot, but ultimately, Atishi emerged as the unanimous choice without a deputy chief minister being appointed this time.
The decision to appoint Atishi was made during a meeting of AAP legislators, where party leader Dilip Pandey suggested that Mr. Kejriwal announce the next Chief Minister during the gathering of AAP MLAs. Upon the suggestion of the party’s national convener, all the AAP MLAs endorsed Atishi’s name, leading to her selection as the leader of the legislative party.
Who is Atishi Marlena?
Atishi Marlena, born on June 8, 1981, hails from a family of scholars in Delhi, with both her parents, Tripta Wahi and Vijay Singh, serving as professors at Delhi University. She is married to Praveen Singh, an educationist and researcher, with whom she has been actively involved in social work for many years.
Due to her ideological background, Atishi was given the middle name “Marlena,” derived from the names Marx and Lenin. In 2018, she adopted the name Atishi in her public persona to shift the focus from her family background to her professional endeavors.
Atishi’s academic journey began in Delhi, where she completed her high school education at Springdales School on Pusa Road. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the prestigious St. Stephen’s College in 2001 and later obtained a master’s degree in history from Oxford University on a Chevening scholarship in 2003. Subsequently, she received a Rhodes scholarship and attended Magdalen College in 2005.
Atishi’s Political Involvement
Atishi’s foray into politics began when she joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in January 2013, leveraging her knowledge and experience from the Indian Anti-Corruption Movement to shape policies within the party. Her participation in the Jal Satyagraha in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh in 2015 further solidified her presence in AAP, standing alongside leader Alok Agarwal during the protests and legal battles that ensued.
In the lead-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Atishi served as the party’s in-charge for East Delhi and contested in the elections, ultimately finishing third behind BJP’s Gautam Gambhir by a significant margin. However, her breakthrough came in the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, where she emerged victorious from the South Delhi constituency of Kalkaji, defeating the BJP candidate Dharambir Singh by over 11,000 votes.
Atishi’s Role in the Delhi Government
Following her electoral success, Atishi assumed the role of a Cabinet Minister in the Delhi government, taking over responsibilities previously held by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendar Jain. She chaired the Public Accounts Committee from 2022 to 2023 and actively participated in various other committees focusing on education, women and child welfare, and minority welfare.
As Atishi steps into the role of Delhi’s new chief minister, she brings with her a wealth of experience and a commitment to serve the people of the capital city. Her journey from academia to activism to politics exemplifies her dedication to creating positive change and driving progress in Delhi’s governance. With her vision and leadership, Atishi Marlena is poised to lead Delhi into a new era of development and prosperity.