AAP leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi was unanimously selected by party MLAs on Sunday to serve as the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, marking her as the first woman to hold the position.

Atishi’s selection came during a meeting of AAP’s legislative wing, where MLAs proposed her as the party’s primary opposition figure against Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The meeting was attended by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and the party’s 22 elected MLAs, including Atishi herself.

Her appointment as the Leader of Opposition carries considerable significance, particularly in light of AAP’s recent electoral setbacks. The party’s prominent leaders, including Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Saurabh Bharadwaj, lost their seats in the recently concluded Delhi Assembly elections.

Expressing gratitude to Kejriwal and AAP for entrusting her with this role, Atishi vowed to hold the BJP-led government accountable. She specifically highlighted the BJP’s promise to provide Rs 2,500 per month to women in Delhi, pledging to push for its fulfillment.

"The people of Delhi have placed us in the opposition, and we will ensure that the BJP government delivers on its commitments. AAP will advocate for the rights of Delhi’s residents with full determination," she posted on X.

Kejriwal also extended his congratulations, stating, "I congratulate Atishi Ji for being elected as AAP’s Leader in the House. Our party will serve as a constructive opposition in the best interests of Delhi’s people."

Atishi, who has been a key figure in AAP’s governance, took on an even more prominent role when Kejriwal resigned as Chief Minister following his release from jail in the Delhi liquor policy case. During his incarceration, she became the primary face of AAP’s administration, frequently challenging both the BJP and Congress on various issues.

Having secured victory from the Kalkaji constituency in 2020, Atishi successfully defended her seat in the February 5 Assembly elections, prevailing over BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri, a former MP known for his contentious remarks.

The Delhi Assembly elections saw the BJP decisively oust AAP from power, securing 48 out of 70 seats. In contrast, AAP, which had previously secured resounding victories in 2015 and 2020, managed to win only 22 seats. The Congress, meanwhile, failed to secure any seats for the third consecutive election.

The first session of the new Delhi Assembly is set to commence on February 24. The BJP-led government has announced that it will present pending CAG reports evaluating the previous AAP administration’s performance during the three-day session.