Speaking about AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal's resignation as Chief Minister, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said one of us (AAP leaders) will sit on the chair till the elections take place and it will be “similar to the way Bharat was ruled, in the absence of Lord Ram”.
Also Read: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal News Live Updates: AAP to announce new CM at 12 noon after legislature party meet
Speaking to ANI, the AAP leader said, “AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, “…It doesn't matter who sits on the CM chair because the mandate was for Arvind Kejriwal. The public elected Arvind Kejriwal. He has said that he will not sit on the CM chair until the people ask again, but the chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal for this and the next 5 years… One of us will sit on the chair till the elections take place. It will be similar to the way Bharat was ruled in the absence of Lord Ram… There will be a discussion with the MLAs today and the name can be decided therein.”
Meanwhile, Kejriwal is expected to resign as chief minister later in the day. The Aam Aadmi Party will announce the new CM around 12 noon after holding the legislative party meeting.
Kejriwal had earlier said that he would sit on the CM's chair only if people gave him a “honesty certificate”.
AAP national spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, “The name can be anyone's (for the post of Delhi CM)… It is a matter of happiness that Delhi is getting a new Chief Minister. But at the same time, we are sad that Arvind Kejriwal has to give agni-pariksha because of BJP's conspiracies. We will all ensure that Arvind Kejriwal returns to the post of Chief Minister as soon as possible so that the people of Delhi continue to get all the facilities that they have been getting so far.”
Also read: Arvind Kejriwal to resign as Delhi Chief Minister today; AAP considers Dalit, Muslim MLAs for the post
Delhi Minister and AAP MLA Gopal Rai arrives at CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence for the Legislative Party meeting. He said, “The Legislative Party meeting has been convened. CM Arvind Kejriwal has announced that he will not continue as CM unless people support him again and let him win. Till then, the party will elect the CM and the government will function under the leadership of that CM… Once again, the government in Delhi will be formed under the leadership of CM Kejriwal.”
On Monday, AAP held a series of meetings in which Arvind Kejriwal sought inputs from members of the Political Affairs Committee, the party's highest decision-making body, on his successor. These one-on-one meetings were held at his official residence.
Kejriwal discussed potential candidates with senior leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha. Among the names being considered for the post of Chief Minister are Delhi Ministers Atishi, Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj. Besides, Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel are also seen as potential candidates, ANNI- they reported, citing party insiders.
Mangolpuri MLA Rakhi Birla, who is also the deputy speaker of the assembly, and Kondli legislator Kuldeep Kumar are also possible candidates, they added.
Addressing party workers on Sunday, Kejriwal demanded elections in the national capital in November. The Delhi Assembly term ends on February 23 and the elections are expected to be held sometime in early February.
