Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi on Monday assumed the role of Delhi’s eighth Chief Minister and placed an empty chair next to her own in honour of party convener Arvind Kejriwal. Atishi chose to sit on a different chair than the one used by Kejriwal.

Drawing a parallel with Bharat’s role during Lord Rama’s exile, she pledged to lead the Government for the next four months saying “this is the Chief Minister’s seat and it will remain empty till Kejriwal becomes Chief Minister again.”

“Today I have taken over as the Chief Minister of Delhi. Today I have the same pain in my heart as Lord Bharat had when Lord Shri Ram went to exile from Ayodhya for 14 years and Lord Bharat had to take over the governance of Ayodhya. Just as Bharat ruled Ayodhya by keeping Lord Shri Ram’s ‘khadaun’ for 14 years, in the same way I will run the Delhi government for the next four months. Lord Shri Ram lived in exile for 14 years to fulfil a promise given by his father, that’s why Lord Shri Ram is called ‘Maryada Purushottam’. His life is an example of dignity and morality for all of us,” Atishi said after assuming the charge of Chief Minister.

Atishi also posted on ‘X’ handle (erstwhile Twitter): “Today I have taken over the responsibility of the Chief Minister of Delhi. Today I have the same pain in my heart that Lord Bharat had when his elder brother Lord Shri Ram went on a 14-year exile, and Bharat had to take over the governance of Ayodhya. Just like Bharat ruled Ayodhya by keeping Lord Shri Ram’s sandals for 14 years, I will run the Government of Delhi for four months.” The newly appointed Chief Minister said that just as Bharat placed Lord Ram’s ‘khadaun’ (sandals) on the throne, she would lead the Delhi Government for the next four months.

Meanwhile, the BJP objected the AAP leaders who are associating themselves with Lord Shri Ram, Laxman and Bharat. BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took aim at Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, accusing her of political theatrics. South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said this is an insult to the sentiments of crores of Hindus and AAP leaders should refrain from such acts and should apologise to the public for this sin.

“How can she call herself Bharat when she has no equal in lying. Even after taking oath on the Constitution, lowering the dignity of the post of Chief Minister in this way is not appropriate in any way,” Bidhuri said. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva has strongly condemned Atishi’s gesture of placing an empty chair beside her, reserved for Arvind Kejriwal. Sachdeva termed the act as a violation of constitutional norms and an insult to the Chief Minister’s office. Sachdeva reacted to Atishi taking charge, saying: “placing two chairs on the table of the Chief Minister is an insult to the Constitution, rules and the post of the Chief Minister. Atishi ji, this is not following any ideals, in simple words, it is sycophancy. By doing this, Atishi has hurt the dignity of the post of Chief Minister of Delhi as well as the sentiments of the people of Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal you should answer - will you run the Delhi Government with this kind of remote control?”

Atishi further said that Kejriwal has set an example of dignity in politics by stepping down. The BJP left no stone unturned to tarnish his image. “Fake cases were filed against Arvind Kejriwal and he was lodged in jail for six months,” claimed Atishi. The Delhi Chief Minister further added that when Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail by the Supreme Court, the court said that his arrest was made with malicious intent.

She has retained the 13 portfolios she held in the Kejriwal Government, which include education, revenue, finance, power, and public works department (PWD). Environment Minister Gopal Rai also took charge and first time minister Mukesh Ahlawat, who was allotted the portfolios of labour, SC and ST, employment and land and building departments also took charge at the Delhi Secretariat.

Meanwhile, another minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has eight departments under him, the highest after Atishi, including those of health, tourism, art and culture.