Atishi of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi , making her the third woman to hold this position, following Sheila Dikshit of Congress and Sushma Swaraj of the BJP. At 43, she also becomes the youngest chief minister of the Union Territory.
The ceremony was held at Raj Niwas just days after AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal resigned, pledging to return only after being re-elected. Alongside Atishi, five other AAP ministers took their oaths during the event.
Before the swearing-in, Atishi met with Kejriwal at his residence, and they traveled together to Raj Niwas. Notable attendees included former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, and Chief Secretary Dharmendra.
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Early Life and Political Evolution
Born on June 8, 1981, Atishi Singh is the daughter of educators Vijay Singh and Tripta Wahi. Her middle name, “Marlena,” is a combination of Marx and Lenin, reflecting her family’s intellectual heritage. In 2018, she opted to use her first name, Atishi, in her public and political life.
Political Career
Atishi began her political career with the Aam Aadmi Party in 2013, playing a crucial role in shaping the party’s policies. In 2015, she was actively involved in the historic Jal Satyagraha in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, supporting AAP leader Alok Agarwal during the protests and subsequent legal proceedings.
In the 2019 elections, Atishi contested from East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency against BJP’s Gautam Gambhir. Although she lost by a significant margin of over 4.5 lakh votes, her political influence continued to grow.
Educational Reforms: Atishi has been instrumental in overhauling Delhi’s government schools. Her efforts included improving school infrastructure, elevating teaching standards, and launching innovative programs like the “Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum” and the “Happiness Curriculum” during her tenure as advisor to Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.
Legislative Role : Representing the Kalkaji constituency in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Atishi emerged as a key AAP leader. She gained recognition for her work in education and secured her position as an MLA in the 2020 elections.
Academic Background: Atishi earned her undergraduate degree from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and completed her master’s in education at the University of Oxford, supported by a Chevening scholarship. Her academic background has profoundly influenced her approach to educational reform.
After Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain resigned due to legal issues, Atishi was appointed to the Delhi cabinet in March 2023. She has since managed several crucial ministries, including education, public works, power, and tourism.
In addition to her educational work, Atishi is a committed advocate for environmental issues. She has promoted policies focused on renewable energy, pollution control, and sustainability in Delhi.
