Atishi’s appointment as the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly marks a significant moment in Delhi’s political landscape, especially in the wake of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) disappointing performance in the recently concluded Assembly elections. As the first woman to hold this position in the Delhi Assembly, her elevation signals AAP’s intent to put up a strong opposition against the newly-formed BJP government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Her selection was unanimous among AAP MLAs, reflecting the trust the party has in her leadership capabilities, especially at a time when several senior leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and Saurabh Bharadwaj, suffered electoral defeats. With AAP now reduced to just 22 seats in the 70-member House, a significant drop from its previous landslide victories, Atishi faces the tough task of keeping the party politically relevant in the Assembly while countering the BJP’s aggressive governance agenda.
Atishi has been one of AAP’s most visible leaders, particularly during the period of Kejriwal’s incarceration, when she became the face of the party, leading the charge against both the BJP and Congress on various issues. Her political journey has been marked by an emphasis on governance, particularly in education reforms, and she has built a reputation as a fierce and articulate leader. In the recent elections, she managed to retain her Kalkaji seat in South Delhi despite facing a stiff challenge from BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri, a former MP known for his controversial statements. However, AAP’s overall electoral performance was a major setback, with the BJP securing a commanding 48-seat majority, while the Congress failed to win any seats for the third consecutive time. This shift in power has left AAP in a weakened position, making Atishi’s role as Leader of Opposition even more critical in the party’s efforts to remain a formidable political force.
The upcoming session of the Delhi Assembly, set to begin on February 24, will be a crucial test for Atishi and AAP. The BJP government has already indicated that it will table pending reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) regarding the performance of the previous AAP administration, which could lead to heated debates in the House. Atishi will be at the forefront of defending her party’s governance record while challenging the new BJP government on its policies. Her leadership skills and ability to counter the ruling party’s arguments will play a decisive role in shaping AAP’s future trajectory in Delhi politics. As the first woman Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, she carries the additional responsibility of breaking gender barriers in political leadership while proving her mettle in one of the most challenging phases for her party.
