Who Will Replace Arvind Kejriwal as Next Delhi CM? AAP Leaders Hold Key Meeting

New Delhi: A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced to step down from the top post, a crucial meeting of AAP leaders was held on Monday. The meeting was attended by AAP leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and Raghav Chada at CM Arvind Kejriwal's residence in the national capital. It is being said that discussions on possible contenders for the chief ministerial post was also held in the meeting.  

This was the first meeting between the Sisodia and Kejriwal met following his announcement on Sunday that he will resign from the chief ministerial post.

With Kejriwal on Sunday announcing to resign within two days, the political corridors in the national capital became abuzz as the Aam Aadmi Party supremo also called for early elections. CM Kejriwal has vowed to not resume the role until the people of Delhi affirm his honesty. Kejriwal stated that if the public votes for him, it will serve as a certification of his integrity. He also mentioned that he would seek early elections alongside Maharashtra . 

Kejriwal was released from Tihar Jail on Friday evening following the Supreme Court's grant of bail in a corruption case linked to the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scandal.

Additionally, Kejriwal, during Sunday's address, ruled out that Manish Sisodia would be his replacement. According to sources close to the AAP, Kejriwal may vacate the Chief Minister house within 15 days after resigning from the top post. 

Why 2-Day Delay in Resignation

Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Atishi also gave an explanation as to why AAP's National Convenor Kejriwal will taking two days to resign. Responding to a reporter's question at a press conference on the time limit specified by Arvind Kejriwal over his resignation, Atishi said, “Today is Sunday, tomorrow is a holiday for Eid-e-Milad, so the next working day is Tuesday. That's why two days time.”

Key Contenders For Top Post

While no names have been announced officially, let us take a look at the Aam Aadmi Party leaders and close aides of Kejriwal, who may be called the key contenders for this post…

Sunita Kejriwal

The first name that may come to the minds of most people is Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Arvind Kejriwal . A former civil servant, Sunita Kejriwal is not a politician but during the time her husband was behind the bars, she was the one who had been leading rallies and protests. Sunita Kejriwal can be a contender for the position of Delhi Chief Minister.

Raghav Chadha

An Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP, Raghav Chadha's name can be part of the key contenders list as he is a young leader who understands the youth; Chadha could be a refreshing change as the Chief Minister of Delhi.

Saurabh Bharadwaj

Another important AAP leader, whose name cannot be missed out from the list of frontrunners for the Delhi CM position is Saurabh Bharadwaj, who again has been in the front and has fiercely stood by the political party, both as the Health Minister and as a member of Aam Aadmi Party.

Atishi

Atishi is one of the strongest contenders for the position of Delhi Chief Minister; currently, she heads five departments in the Delhi Cabinet, namely, Power, PWD, Tourism Art Culture and Language, Women and Child Development and Education. It was primarily Atishi, who held the fort when numerous party leaders were behind the bars in the Delhi Excise Policy Case.