Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, is expected to meet with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena today at 4:30 PM as his self-imposed 48-hour deadline to resign comes to an end. This follows his announcement, made after securing bail from the Supreme Court last Friday, that he would step down to clear his name in what he termed as the "people's court."
During a public address on Sunday, Kejriwal confirmed his resignation plans, stating, “I got justice from the legal court, now I will seek justice from the people's court. If I have worked for you, vote for me.” However, there remains uncertainty about who will succeed him, despite several meetings over the last two days.
Kejriwal consulted the party’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) on the matter and had individual discussions with key leaders, according to AAP senior leader Saurabh Bhardwaj. Potential candidates to take over include AAP's prominent leader Atishi, along with Bhardwaj himself, Raghav Chadha, Kailash Gahlot, and Sanjay Singh. However, Kejriwal’s former deputy, Manish Sisodia, who was also implicated in the Delhi liquor policy case and spent 18 months in jail before receiving bail, has ruled himself out, as has Kejriwal.
While Kejriwal is pushing for a November election, aligning it with Maharashtra’s state polls, assembly elections in Delhi are officially scheduled for February next year. Kejriwal and his party remain optimistic that the people of Delhi are eager to re-elect him.
Although re-election may offer a political reprieve, it will not resolve his legal troubles. The Supreme Court has not demanded his resignation but has restricted his ability to function as Chief Minister without the consent of the Lieutenant Governor. Kejriwal is barred from entering his office, signing official files, or visiting the Delhi Secretariat without Saxena’s approval.
Opposition parties have seized on his announcement. The BJP criticized the delay in his resignation, with some leaders questioning why he has not acted immediately. The Delhi Congress, a bitter rival despite their alliance in the INDIA bloc, dismissed his move as a political stunt. Congress leader Devendra Yadav remarked that it would have been more appropriate for Kejriwal to step down during the recent crises faced by Delhi, including the floods and water shortages.