NEW DELHI: While the AAP legislative party will decide on the next CM, Shot‘s name is being discussed the most due to her sheer responsibility in govt – she handles 13 portfolios – and signals sent earlier about the pecking order in the party.
Former deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who should have been the natural choice, is out of contention. “The pain that I am feeling is also in Manish Sisodia‘s mind.The things that were said about me were also said about him. Manish has said that he will take over the post of deputy CM and education minister of Delhi only when the people of Delhi say that he is honest,” said Kejriwal in his speech at the party office on Sunday.
Atishi’s rise in the party has been meteoric. Party functionaries are pointing out that her importance was evident when Kejriwal sent a message from jail proposing that Atishi would hoist the national flag on his behalf at Delhi govt’s Independence Day function. However, lieutenant governor VK Saxena nominated minister Kailash Gahlot for the job.
Atishi’s responsibilities include finance, planning, PWD, water, power, education, higher education, services and publicity. Since the party’s formation, she has made substantial contributions to its expansion and progress. She played a critical role as a key member of the manifesto drafting committee for the 2013 assembly elections and was instrumental in formulating the party’s objectives and vision.
As the MLA representing Kalkaji assembly constituency, Atishi has been at the vanguard of the party’s communication efforts and has taken the lead in addressing critical issues such as the Delhi water dispute with neighbouring states. She has been vocal on day-to-day party affairs and in taking on BJP and LG.
The name of Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwalis also being discussed. Speculation about her future role in the party and govt has been gaining ground because of her increasing appearances in public and political platforms. She was constantly by Kejriwal’s side when he came out of jail on interim bail and campaigned for the Lok Sabha elections. Party sources are ruling her out as a candidate just as Kejriwal too has been playing down her role in the past.
The party and Kejriwal must be aware that if Sunita Kejriwal, a 1993-batch Indian Revenue Services officer, occupies the hot seat, it will give BJP ready ammunition to target AAP on nepotism.
Non-controversial Delhi party convenor and minister Gopal Raiwho has been with the party since the time of Anna Hazare’s agitation and is a Poorvanchali, could also be a safe choice for keeping the chair warm.
The name of health minister Saurabh Bharadwaja popular MLA who has been very vocal on party and govt affairs and in taking on BJP and LG, has also cropped up among other names.
Besides these prominent names, a section of the party speculated that it might consider a scheduled caste candidate, such as Rakhi Birladeputy speaker in the assembly, in order to send a signal.
