Atishi Assumes Office as Delhi CM; Leaves Kejriwal’s Seat Vacant

New Delhi: Atishi officially took charge as the Delhi Chief Minister on Monday. To show up her respect and allegiance to Arvind Kejriwal, she placed an empty chair beside her in the CM’s chamber.

Speaking to the newsmen, Atishi compared herself with Bharat from the Ramayana, who ruled in Lord Ram’s absence by placing his sandals on the throne.

“Today, I carry the same burden as Bharat did. Just as he placed Lord Ram’s sandals on the throne and ruled, I will govern Delhi for the next four months with the same spirit,” she said.

Atishi expressed her confidence that the people of Delhi will vote back Arvind Kejriwal to power in the upcoming elections.

“This chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal, and I am certain that in the February elections, the people of Delhi will once again elect him as their Chief Minister. Until then, this chair will remain in this office, waiting for him to return,” she said.

Atishi is the youngest CM of Delhi. She is also the third woman chief minister of Delhi, after Congress’ Sheila Dikshit and BJP’s Sushma Swaraj. Five cabinet ministers — four from the previous ministry and a new face — were also sworn in along with her.