New Delhi September 23 : Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi Marlena assumed charge as Delhi Chief Minister on Monday.
In an emotional gesture towards Kejriwal, Atishi placed an empty chair beside her CM chair, saying, "This chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. Today I took charge as the CM of Delhi. Today I have the same pain in my heart as Bharat ji had. Just like Bharat ji worked by keeping Lord Shri Ram's sandals, I will take charge as CM for the next four months."
She exuded confidence in Kejriwal returning as Delhi CM in the assembly elections expected to be held in February next year.
"I am confident that in the elections to be held in February, the people of Delhi will make Arvind Kejriwal win and make him the CM again. Till then, this chair of Arvind Kejriwal will remain here," Atishi said as she addressed the citizens in a video message.
"For the last two years, the BJP has left no stone unturned in maligning Arvind Kejriwal's image. He was put in jail for 6 months. The court also said that the agency arrested Arvind Kejriwal with malicious intent," she added.
Atishi took oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi on September 22 after she was named successor to the post by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal earlier this week.
At 43, Atishi took charge as the third woman Chief Minister of Delhi, following the footsteps of Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit.
