In his first speech to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and members after being granted bail in the liquor policy case, Arvind Kejriwal announced his decision to resign as Delhi Chief Minister. He mentioned that a legislative party meeting would be held in the next two days to choose his successor.
Kejriwal also called for the Delhi elections, scheduled for February 2025, to be moved up and held alongside the Maharashtra polls this November. He stated, “I urge that the Delhi elections be conducted with Maharashtra’s. Until then, another AAP member will take over as Chief Minister.”
Arvind Kejriwal Announces Resignation as Delhi Chief Minister
Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of AAP, reportedly announced that he would step down as the Chief Minister of Delhi within the next two days. He mentioned that he would only take on the role again if the people of Delhi reaffirmed his integrity through their votes in the upcoming elections. He expressed his intention to seek public approval to prove his honesty.
Kejriwal also called for the Delhi Assembly elections to be held in November 2024, instead of the initially planned February 2025. He suggested that restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court were aimed at limiting his ability to govern effectively. However, he reportedly urged voters to support him if they believed in his honesty, and assured them that he would only return as Chief Minister after winning the election.
In the meantime, he said, another party member would assume the role of Chief Minister until the elections. He added that a meeting of MLAs would take place within a few days to decide the next Chief Minister.
During his address to AAP supporters, Kejriwal reportedly accused the BJP of attempting to weaken his party and demoralize him. He claimed that their strategy involved breaking political parties, imprisoning leaders, and trying to establish their government in Delhi, but they had failed in their efforts.
Kejriwal explained that his decision to remain in office until now was driven by his desire to protect democracy. He criticized what he described as a tactic of jailing leaders when they lose elections. He further appealed to opposition leaders not to resign if they faced imprisonment based on false charges.
It was also reported that Kejriwal had been arrested in March 2024 in connection with the Delhi excise policy case and was recently released on bail. The Supreme Court, while granting him bail, had prohibited him from entering the Chief Minister’s office or signing official documents.
Also Read: FIR Filed After Firecrackers Burst Outside Arvind Kejriwal’s Residence
BJP Calls It PR Stunt
The BJP has dismissed Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation announcement as a public relations stunt. According to BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, Kejriwal is aware that his reputation among Delhi’s residents is tarnished, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is now widely perceived as corrupt.
Bhandari accused Kejriwal of trying to rehabilitate his image through this tactic, likening it to the Sonia Gandhi strategy of appointing Manmohan Singh as a figurehead Prime Minister while controlling the government from behind the scenes. He claimed that the AAP is anticipating a loss in the Delhi elections and is attempting to shift blame by making someone else a scapegoat.
Also Read: Supreme Court Grants Bail to Arvind Kejriwal with 5 Key Conditions
FAQs
Q.1. Why did Arvind Kejriwal announce his resignation?
Ans. Arvind Kejriwal announced his resignation to seek a fresh mandate from Delhi voters to reaffirm his integrity and address accusations of corruption.
Q.2. When will Kejriwal’s resignation take effect?
Ans. Kejriwal plans to resign within the next two days. A legislative party meeting will be held to select his successor.
Q.3. Why is Kejriwal calling for early elections?
Ans. Kejriwal wants the Delhi Assembly elections to be held in November 2024 alongside the Maharashtra polls, instead of February 2025, to align with political timing.
Q.4. What did the BJP say about Kejriwal’s resignation?
Ans. The BJP dismissed Kejriwal’s resignation as a public relations stunt, accusing him of trying to restore his damaged image and likening his strategy to previous political maneuvers.
Q.5. What restrictions were placed on Kejriwal following his bail?
Ans. Following his bail, the Supreme Court restricted Kejriwal from entering the Chief Minister’s office or signing official documents as part of the conditions of his release.
