Delhi L-G proposes September 21 for Atishi's swearing-in as CM
New Delhi: Initiating the process to invite Atishi to form a new government, Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has sent a proposal to President Droupadi Murmu suggesting that the AAP leader be sworn in on September 21 as Chief Minister.
Saxena has also forwarded the resignation submitted by Arvind Kejriwal to the president, sources said. AAP leaders said the party has not proposed any date for the swearing-in.
Kejriwal has resigned on Tuesday and Atishi has staked claim for forming a government in the national capital.
One of the tasks before AAP leadership and Atishi would be to decide on the composition of the Cabinet. It is to be seen whether the existing ministers find a place in the government or new faces will be inducted.
A section of leaders said a complete overhaul is unlikely and the existing four ministers could continue, as there is scope for inducting two fresh faces following the vacancies due to resignation of Kejriwal and Raj Kumar Anand, who had quit AAP to first join BSP and then BJP.
Besides Atishi, the other ministers in the Kejriwal Ministry were Gopal Rai, Kailash Gahlot, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Imran Hussain.
There is a view in the party that changing any minister could send the wrong signal and could take the limelight away from Kejriwal’s resignation.
Meanwhile, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh said Kejriwal will give up security and other government facilities and move out of his official residence within two weeks to "live like a commoner".
Singh said the first thing Kejriwal spoke after his resignation was about vacating the official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road and a search is on for suitable accommodation for him. After Kejriwal vacates, Atishi is likely to shift to this bungalow.
"He has old parents, his wife, and his children. We are all worried about their safety. We tried to explain to him that his security was at risk. Still, he has decided to move out. Kejriwal said he was in jail for six months among dreaded criminals and God protected him and will continue to do so," Singh said.
AAP General Secretary (Organisation) Sandeep Pathak said the party will hold rallies in the capital during which Kejriwal will interact with people.
He said the plan for rallies will be announced soon.
"The idea is that Arvind Kejriwal will go to the public and will ask them directly that if they feel he is honest they should vote for him and make him the chief minister again. If they feel that he is dishonest, they should not vote for him. People will decide," he said.