In a significant political development, Atishi has been appointed as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly, making history as the first woman to hold this position. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) confirmed her selection during a crucial legislative party meeting attended by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the party’s 22 MLAs.
Atishi’s rise in Delhi politics has been remarkable. She previously served as the Chief Minister from September 2024 to February 2025, becoming the youngest person to hold the office at 43. Before that, she was a key minister in the Delhi government, overseeing the Education, PWD, Culture, and Tourism departments. She played a crucial role in shaping the state’s education reforms, which became one of AAP’s flagship achievements.
The political landscape of Delhi changed after the recent elections, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a majority with 48 MLAs. As a result, Rekha Gupta was appointed as the new Chief Minister, creating a historic scenario where both the Chief Minister and the Leader of Opposition are women—a first for the Delhi Assembly.
As the LoP, Atishi is expected to play a crucial role in countering the ruling BJP government and holding them accountable for their electoral promises. In her first statement after assuming the role, she said, “We will show you what a strong opposition looks like by working tirelessly for the people of Delhi.”
Arvind Kejriwal, former Delhi CM and AAP National Convenor congratulated Atishi on X, writing, “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.
Her leadership will be closely watched as she navigates her new responsibilities, especially in a political environment where AAP is now in the opposition for the first time in a decade. Given her experience and ability to drive policy discussions, she is likely to challenge the BJP government on issues like education, health, and governance, which have been AAP’s core focus areas.
With Atishi at the helm of the opposition, Delhi’s political dynamics are set to witness a strong contest in the coming years.
