Delhi AAP leader Atishi Marlena.
Credit: DH Photo
New Delhi: A day ahead of Delhi Assembly's first session after BJP assumed power, the AAP on Sunday chose former Chief Minister Atishi as the Leader of the Opposition, in what is seen as a political counter to BJP playing the "woman card" by making Rekha Gupta the Chief Minister.
Atishi was chosen as the leader of the legislature party unanimously at a meeting of the newly elected party MLAs, attended by General Secretary (Organisation) Sandeep Pathak as Observer. Sanjay Jha proposed Atishi's name and was seconded by Kuldeep Kumar and Jarnail Singh.
"I congratulate Atishi-ji for being elected as Leader of AAP in the House. AAP will play the role of constructive opposition in the interest of people of Delhi," AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal posted on X.
Atishi's appointment as the Leader of the Opposition was almost certain as the 43-year-old leader enjoys the confidence of Kejriwal and she was his choice when he decided to quit as Chief Minister.
When Kejriwal was in jail, Atishi was chosen as the face of the government, while his wife Sunita had temporarily become the political face of the party.
Even before being elected as the Leader of the Opposition, Atishi has been targeting the BJP over not taking a decision on its promise of giving a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 to women. She also attacked the BJP over the delay in choosing the Chief Minister.
AAP Delhi Convenor and senior leader Gopal Rai told a press conference that Atishi would take the lead as the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly to make ruling BJP accountable and fight for the people's welfare.
Atishi said people have chosen AAP to sit in the Opposition this time and they would be the voice of people.
"Our task will be to ensure that the BJP fulfills the promises made to people during the election. The important one is the rolling out of Rs 2,500 per month to women, which was promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," she said.
Atishi, who had sought a meeting with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, said Modi had promised to clear the decision in Delhi government's first cabinet meeting, but it has not done so.
She said some ministers have made statements about shutting AAP government initiatives like Mohalla clinics and this would be opposed inside and outside the Assembly.
Asked about the government taking a decision to table the contentious CAG reports, Atishi said she herself as Chief Minister had sent the reports to the Speaker and the BJP is "misleading" people on the issue.