Atishi Marlena’s Rise from Backroom to Top in Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

• In 2018, AAP ministers’ appointments were cancelled, with a focus on Atishi Marlena, a former adviser to Education Minister.
• Atishi Marlena, a former Oxford University graduate, held about 13 portfolios in the Delhi government, the highest by any Minister at the time.
• Atishi’s rise from a backroom figure to the Chief Minister’s post is attributed to her hard work and loyalty, and the trust she held from party chief Arvind Kejriwal.
• Born to professors Tripta Wahi and Vijay Singh, Atishi joined the AAP in 2013 and played a crucial role in shaping the party’s policies.
• After the AAP came to power in Delhi for 49 days, Atishi continued to work behind the scenes.
• In 2015, the AAP won the Assembly election and came back to power in Delhi.
• Atishi was removed as a spokesperson of the party due to a spat between founding members Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav versus party chief Mr. Kejriwal.
• In July 2015, she was appointed as the adviser to the Education Minister.
• Atishi worked behind many of the Delhi government’s education programmes, including “mission buniyaad” and happiness curriculum.

Ms. Atishi’s Political Transformation and AAP’s Election Campaign

• Ms. Atishi, a former adviser, was announced as the AAP’s East Delhi candidate for the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
• She dropped her surname ‘Marlena’ from Twitter and started using only ‘Atishi’ in official communication.
• She attended a Kshatriya community event referring to her as ‘Atishi Singh’.
• Despite losing the election, she won the Delhi Assembly election from Kalkaji in 2020.
• The AAP’s electoral politics emphasized the ‘Kejriwal model of governance’, which included welfare measures and pro-people policies.
• Ms. Atishi defended the AAP supremo against communal clashes in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri in 2022.
• When Mr. Sisodia was arrested in the Delhi excise policy case in March 2023, she expanded her role in the party and was inducted into the Cabinet.
• Ms. Atishi took over the government when Mr. Kejriwal was arrested in March 2023.
• After Mr. Kejriwal’s bail conditions, he announced he would step down as CM to face ‘Agni Pariksha’ in the public’s court.
• Despite the BJP’s attempts to paint the AAP and its chief as corrupt, Ms. Atishi has shown unwavering faith and loyalty.