Atishi Takes Charge As Delhi Chief Minister, Refuses To Sit On CM's Chair

AAP leader Atishi officially took charge as the eighth Chief Minister of Delhi today, following the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal. Drawing a symbolic comparison to the Hindu epic Ramayana, Atishi said, "My situation is like that of Bharat, when Lord Shri Rama went into exile, and Bharat had to govern in his absence." 

Atishi, 43, vowed to run the government for the next four months until the upcoming elections, just as "Bharat ruled with Lord Ram's 'khadaun' (sandals) on the throne". 

After assuming office, Atishi placed an empty chair next to hers, in a symbolic gesture towards her party chief Mr Kejriwal. "This chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. I am confident that the people of Delhi will reinstate him after four months," she said.