After AAP convener and chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s announcement that he will resign as Chief Minister after 48 hours, the decision has raised two pressing questions: First, who will serve as the temporary Chief Minister of the national capital until the elections? Second, will the Election Commission allow early elections as requested by the AAP leader?

Another critical factor was the looming threat of President's Rule. The central government, led by the BJP, could have cited policy paralysis to justify imposing President's Rule, which could delay elections by up to six months.

As Delhi is a National Capital Territory, the Lt Governor will forward the Delhi Chief Minister's recommendation to the President through the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Lt Governor has the power to dissolve the Assembly on the advice of the chief minister. Currently, there is no proposal to dissolve the Delhi Assembly, which could reduce the possibility of President's rule being imposed. 

First, choosing a CM for just a few months has often led to a power tussle and big exits later, as was witnessed in Jharkhand recently between JMM's Hemant Soren and Champai Soren, and in Bihar in 2014 after JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar reclaimed  the top seat from Jitan Ram Manjhi. Now the question is also being raised will Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hand over the responsibility to a family member? However, his wife Sunita Kejriwal's name has been in the news since the Lok Sabha elections when CM Kejriwal came out on interim bail for some time for an election campaign. Since then, there has been a constant discussion about Sunita Kejriwal's claim for the post of CM. Now that the CM has announced his resignation, discussions again intensified about who will replace him as the Chief Minister.

The CM’s wife, who is on the second position of star campaigners for Haryana elections, has been actively participating in election campaigns along with the state unit leaders these days. Meanwhile, analysts also say that Kejriwal may not be portrayed that he is promoting dynastic politics because as he and his party have always advocated a clean public image where there is no room for such politics.

But internal dynamics within the AAP could create turbulence. Finding a suitable interim chief minister who commands the respect and loyalty of party members, while also appealing to voters, could be challenging.Kejriwal's successor could either come from the current Cabinet or be strategically selected to leverage caste dynamics, with an eye of assembly polls in Haryana and Delhi.

 Many names are doing the rounds including senior AAP leaders Gopal Rai, Sandeep Pathak, Rakhi Birlan, Raghav Chadha  and Atishi for the coveted post. Analysts also also giving Atishi an edge as she has  risen rapidly since Sisodia’s arrest and is currently holding more than 10 portfolios, the highest in the AAP dispensation.

The AAP leader holds several important portfolios in the Kejriwal-led government namely Finance, Planning, PWD, Water, Power, Education, Higher Education, TTE, Services, Public Relation and Vigilance. Atishi now oversees 11 portfolios, which is the highest number of departments a minister holds in the Delhi government right now. Atishi’s importance can be gauzed from the fact that Kejriwal in a letter to the Delhi LG VK Saxena, suggested that cabinet minister Atishi will hoist the national flag in his place during the Delhi government’s Independence Day programme.

Possibility of elevation of Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel and Deputy Speaker Rakhi Bidlan cannot be denied as they both the close aides of the Delhi CM.

Another thing, despite Kejriwal's demand for early polls, Election Commission has the authority to call for early elections if it deems it necessary due to extraordinary circumstances. However, the EC has historically preferred to adhere to established electoral timelines unless there is a compelling reason to intervene.

Experts say the city government may have to write to the Election Commission giving reasons behind the demand. "Legally, the EC has the power to hold the assembly elections in Delhi alongside Maharashtra. But on previous occasions, the polls in Delhi were held separately. The EC should have a reason to club Maharashtra and Delhi polls," said an expert refusing to be named.

 He also pointed out that the electoral rolls in Delhi would be updated in January with January 1 as the qualifying date. When the rolls are updated, the newly-registered voters are able to cast their votes. "Therefore, the EC may prefer holding the polls in Delhi as planned," he said.

The exit — likely to be formalised on Tuesday — will not be the first time that Kejriwal has stepped down as Delhi CM.