Arvind Kejriwal to resign as Chief Minister, Seeks early polls in Delhi

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced his shock resignation from the top post at a party meeting this afternoon.

Sep 15, 2024 - 17:10
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Arvind Kejriwal to resign as Chief Minister, Seeks early polls in Delhi

Two days after he was granted bail and walked out of jail after six months, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced his shock resignation from the top post at a party meeting this afternoon. "Two days later, I will resign as Chief Minister. I will not sit on that chair till the people announce their verdict. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo clarified that Manish Sisodia will also not be assuming the role of Chief Minister.

Shortly after Arvind Kejriwal's announcement, the BJP slammed the move as a “PR stunt.” While, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said, “This is merely a gimmick.” 

Kejriwal said, “I want to ask the people of Delhi, is Kejriwal innocent or guilty? If I have worked, vote for me.” Adding that a meeting of AAP MLAs will be held within the next two days to choose the new Chief Minister for the national capital.

He also demanded that the elections in the national capital, scheduled for February 2025, be held in November this year along with Maharashtra polls. “There are elections in February. I demand that the elections be held along with Maharashtra’s. Until the elections take place, someone else from the Aam Aadmi Party will become the Chief Minister,” he stated.

In his address to the AAP workers, Mr Kejriwal also launched an all-out attack against the Narendra Modi government and said it was more dictatorial than the British. He claimed that the "conspiracies" orchestrated by the central government could not break his "rock-like resolve" and vowed to continue his fight for the nation.

Kejriwal said he had also spoken to former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia about the issue. He too was recently granted bail in connection with corruption allegations surrounding Delhi's now-scrapped liquor policy. "I spoke to Manish, he too has said that he will handle the post only after the people say we are honest. My and Sisodia's fate is in your hands now," he said.

Arvind Kejriwal expressed gratitude to the people of Delhi for their support, mentioning that AAP leaders Satyendar Jain and Amanatullah Khan, who are behind bars, would soon be released.

‘PR Stunt, Gimmick’

BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said that Kejriwal’s decision was an attempt to salvage his image among Delhi voters, who now view him as a “corrupt” leader. “This is a PR stunt of Arvind Kejriwal. He has understood that his image among the people of Delhi is not of an honest leader but of a corrupt leader, today AAP is known across the country as a corrupt party. 

Responding to Kejriwal’s announcement, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said, “There is no question of becoming the CM again. We have been saying for a long time that he should resign as Chief Minister. This is merely a gimmick. It is unprecedented for an elected leader to come out of jail on bail and be asked by the Supreme Court not to go to the Chief Minister’s office or sign any papers.”

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