On Monday, Atishi officially took over as the Chief Minister of Delhi. In a striking move, she arranged an empty chair reserved for Arvind Kejriwal in her office. By choosing to sit in a white chair next to her predecessor’s seat, she expressed her hope that the people of Delhi would re-elect Kejriwal in the upcoming elections.
However, this gesture sparked backlash from various political factions. Both the BJP and Congress claimed it undermines constitutional norms and the office of the chief minister.
During her first address, Atishi stated, “I will serve as the Chief Minister of Delhi for the next four months, just as Bharat honored Lord Ram’s legacy.” She highlighted Kejriwal’s dignity in stepping down while simultaneously criticizing the BJP for its relentless attempts to tarnish his reputation.
In response, opposition leaders quickly labeled Atishi a “dummy chief minister.” They raised questions about whether Kejriwal would continue to control the Delhi government ‘through remote control.’
Additionally, Devender Yadav, the Delhi Congress chief, expressed strong disapproval. He stated, “I strongly object to comparing someone who was jailed for corruption to Lord Ram. Atishi has gone too far and has positioned herself as a mere figurehead.”
Despite facing criticism, Atishi remained optimistic. She asserted that the people of Delhi would choose to re-elect Kejriwal.
Furthermore, she made it clear that he would only return to the position if he receives a renewed mandate from the public. Notably, this transition occurred just two days after Kejriwal was released on bail from Tihar Jail, where he had spent five months.
Both Kejriwal and his former Deputy Manish Sisodia have actively called for a ‘certificate of honesty’ from the electorate. They pledged to return to their roles only if the AAP is re-elected.
As Delhi navigates this political landscape, the coming months promise to be pivotal for the AAP and its leadership. Will the electorate respond to Atishi’s confidence and Kejriwal’s integrity? Or will the opposition’s critiques resonate more deeply? Only time will tell as the election approaches.
Kolkata: On Friday, January 10, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members demonstrated against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her actions after the ED raids at the I-PAC office and its chief Pratik Jain's home. | In relation to an alleged coal smuggling case that stretches back a few years, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and Pratik Jain's home on Loudon Street in Kolkata on Thursday, January 8, 2025. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a protest against the ED raids on I-PAC after the raid set off a political storm in the state. Why is a chief minister endorsing Pratik Jain, and who is he? Pratik Jain, a political strategist and co-founder of I-PAC, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. He is credited with helping I-PAC grow into one of the most significant political consulting organizations in India. I-PAC was established in 2015 and offers services like data-driven campaign management, support for governance, and voter outreach initiatives. It has collaborated with a number of Indian political groups throughout the years, notably West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC). I-PAC reportedly collaborates closely with Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, and his office. The company oversees the IT and media division of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and is in charge of creating its election campaigns. Mr. Jain was in charge of the Trinamool Congress's IT cell, according to Ms. Banerjee. According to his LinkedIn page, Jain, an engineering graduate from IIT Bombay, started his career as an analyst at the consulting firm Deloitte. He was one of the first members of Citizens of Accountable Governance, which later evolved into I-PAC. Arvind Kejriwal, M.K. Stalin, Jaganmohan Reddy, Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, and Nitish Kumar are just a few of the prominent figures with whom the political consultancy firm has collaborated.…
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