Even though there was widespread anticipation that Kejriwal would nominate his wife Sunita as the chief minister, he defied expectations by choosing Atishi, raising eyebrows.
The move breaks from the norm seen in Indian politics where senior politicians, holding crucial positions in the government or in the party and accused of corruption or criminal charges and arrested for the same, often turn to family members, especially wives, to safeguard their political legacies. So why did Kejriwal pick Atishi, and what does this say about his strategy?
Here, the AAP convenor seems to be following in Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s footsteps. Both Soren and Kejriwal steered clear of dynastic politics, consciously avoiding Lalu Prasad Yadav’s legacy of family succession. Soren, after being arrested by the ED in connection with a land deed scam, resigned from his position and chose his senior party colleague Champai Soren as his successor despite support for his wife Kalpana.
It is also Kejriwal’s political strategy to have a young and trusted party colleague as successor, and that will serve two purposes for him. First, his resignation is likely to evoke public sympathy by showcasing him as a principled figure who made a personal sacrifice. Second, choosing his wife as successor could have sparked sharp criticism from the BJP, labelling him as just another dynast who wants to keep power within the family.
Chose merit, ditched dynasty
By nominating Atishi as his successor, Kejriwal wants to send a signal to his party colleagues that AAP values capability and performance over family dynasties, a stark contrast to leaders who often install their spouses to protect the party’s control. This message will boost the party’s morale and also bring loyalty to him.
Atishi is known for her contributions to Delhi’s education reforms, a key pillar of AAP’s governance, making her not just a loyal party member but someone with tangible achievements.
Kejriwal probably dodged the ‘nepotism’ allegation but his political opponents still call Atishi the ‘puppet chief minister’. However, for Kejriwal, that is way better than being compared to Congress and battling allegations of dynastic politics, said a retired IAS officer, who closely worked with the former Delhi CM as part of his government and later his party.
Indian politics has long been associated with dynastic leadership, with numerous examples of politicians elevating family members to power. It has also been one of the central and focal points for the BJP to attack the Opposition. Kejriwal’s choice to bypass this trend distances AAP from accusations of nepotism, reinforcing its position as a party rooted in clean, merit-based politics. His party — which is now under political and public scrutiny for several corruption-related charges — needed the reassurance of promoting merit-based politics over nepotism.
Youth and gender at the forefront
Apart from the political and personal aspects related to Kejriwal himself, Atishi’s elevation also sends a strong message about inclusivity, youth, and gender representation. Her appointment could strengthen AAP’s appeal among young voters and women, while portraying the party as progressive on future leadership, unlike traditional parties that lean on family names or old hands to consolidate power.
Installing a trusted party colleague like Atishi could also be a tactical decision to ensure the smooth functioning of the party and government without overshadowing Kejriwal. If his wife or a close family member were to step in, it could lead to increased scrutiny and raise questions about his long-term intentions.
In addition, Atishi — who has a bright academic career graph and is known as an articulate young politician — managed the public perception, addressed the media and handled governance in the time of crisis. Kejriwal’s decision reflects his trust in Atishi’s leadership and loyalty. She represents continuity in policy and governance while projecting the image of a youthful, capable leader who can maintain AAP’s voter base and governance model even in his absence. Unlike family members, whose selection may invite public scepticism and internal conflicts, Atishi’s appointment is likely to be viewed as a step toward preserving AAP’s credibility.
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