Atishi takes office as Delhi CM, declares Arvind Kejriwal's chair will wait for his return

NEW DELHI: Two days after she was sworn in, Atishi took charge as the eighth chief minister of Delhi on Monday. She placed the chair used by her predecessor at Delhi Secretariat's CM office empty, saying it belonged to Kejriwal. Referring to the Hindu epic, Ramayana, Atishi drew a parallel to Bharat's rule in Ayodhya and Lord Ram's 'khadaun' (wooden slippers), and "vowed" to run govt only for four months till the people of Delhi re-elected him in the upcoming assembly polls.BJP and Congress, however, called it a "grave insult" to the post.
In the CM office, Atishi sat in a white chair next to the red one used by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. "The chair of the chief minister of Delhi belongs to him (Kejriwal). Till then, this chair will remain in this room, waiting for him," she said.
Atishi said Lord Ram fulfilled a commitment made by his father, which is why he was called "Maryada Purushottam" and his life was an example of dignity and morality. "In the same way, Kejriwal has set an example of dignity and morality in the politics of this country," she said.
Atishi said the people of Delhi would again choose Kejriwal as chief minister.
Both BJP and Congress attacked Atishi and alleged that what she did was not ideal. "Through her gesture, she has not only insulted the post of chief minister but has also hurt the feelings of the people of Delhi. Kejriwal needs to answer whether he will run govt through a remote control," Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said.
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav said Atishi had proved herself to be a "dummy" chief minister. "I have a strong objection to this that a person who was in jail for a corruption case is being compared to Lord Ram...Atishi's move proved that people should not keep any hopes from her govt," he added.
BJP MP from South Delhi Ramvir Bidhuri also objected to AAP functionaries associating themselves with Lord Ram, Laxman and Bharat. "This is an insult to the sentiments of crores of Hindus. AAP functionaries should apologise to the public for this sin," Bidhuri said.
BJP's North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari alleged that AAP had insulted the Constitution.
Gopal Rai, who is also the Delhi convener of AAP, however, said that Atishi's move had nothing to do with the Constitution. "It was her emotion," Rai said.
Atishi has retained the 13 portfolios she held in Kejriwal govt, including education, revenue, finance, planning, power and Public Works Department.
After taking charge, Atishi met chief secretary Dharmendra and officials posted in her own office. Sources said she also discussed some important issues with officials and signed pending files.
Apart from Atishi, three other ministers - Gopal Rai, Imran Hussain and Mukesh Kumar Ahlawat-also took charge of their portfolios. Ahlawat said it was a moment mixed with happiness and sorrow for him as Kejriwal was no longer the chief minister of Delhi. "What he has achieved, very few others can claim. We are committed to ensuring he becomes the CM again," he said.
While Bharadwaj had taken charge on Saturday, soon after taking the oath of office, sources said Kailash Gahlot was expected to assume office on Tuesday.