NEW DELHI: On Sunday, senior AAP leader Atishi submitted her resignation as the Chief Minister of Delhi, a day after the party suffered a setback in the Assembly election, with BJP returning to power after 27 years.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena dissolved the outgoing Delhi Government. The L-G received the resignation and asked her to continue in her position till the formation of the new government.
Although Atishi retained her seat in Kalkaji, defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri by 3,521 votes, the AAP lost the election receiving just 22 seats against BJP’s 48. Saxena also dissolved the Seventh Legislative Assembly of the National Capital. The order was made public today.
The notification read, “In exercise of the power conferred upon me by sub-section (2)(b) of section 6 of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, I, Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, hereby dissolve the Seventh Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.”
Atishi also met the 22 new MLAs of the party along with former Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal at his residence. Following the meeting, the outgoing CM said that the election was conducted with hooliganism. “This election was conducted with so much hooliganism, such an election would have never happened in the history of Delhi. Where money is being distributed openly, liquor is being distributed openly, police are getting it distributed, and whoever is complaining about this is being put in jail,” she alleged.
She further stated that Kejriwal has instructed AAP’s newly elected 22 MLAs to prioritise public welfare and address grievances in their constituencies. Atishi also emphasised that AAP would act as a responsible Opposition, ensuring that the BJP fulfils its promises, including the Rs 2,500 financial assistance for women and the continuation of key public welfare schemes.
“AAP will also make sure that the BJP does not obstruct or undo the developmental work accomplished by the AAP over the past 10 years,” she continued.
The AAP candidates who lost the election also met Kejriwal. After the meeting, Sisodia briefing the media said, “Arvind Kejriwal boosted the morale of those AAP candidates who are not able to win the elections. Everyone fought the elections very well, while the entire machinery was used…money, liquor were distributed openly. The rules of the Election Commission of India and the Model Code of Conduct were violated. We will serve the people in our respective constituencies.”