In a surprising turn of events, the prominent opposition leader and Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, announced his resignation from his post. Kejriwal's decision comes mere days after he was granted bail in a corruption case that saw him spend five months in jail. The case was related to a now-defunct alcohol sales policy that was implemented by his party, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Throughout the ordeal, Kejriwal has vehemently denied all allegations against him.

Kejriwal stated that he will only resume office if the people of Delhi re-elect his party in the upcoming assembly elections. As a result, his colleague and senior Delhi minister, Atishi, has been appointed as the new leader of the government. The AAP, known for its focus on welfare measures such as affordable electricity and water, made its mark in the 2013 Delhi assembly elections and has governed the capital since. In both the 2020 and previous elections, the party secured a significant majority, attaining 62 out of the 70 seats.

The decision to step down was declared by Kejriwal over the weekend, as he expressed his desire to sit on the chief minister's chair only if the people of Delhi endorsed his "certificate of honesty". Moreover, Kejriwal has proposed advancing the Delhi elections, originally scheduled for February next year, to November, aligning them with the upcoming polls in Maharashtra state. However, Indian laws require elections to be scheduled at least six months before the end of an assembly term, unless the assembly is dissolved early. Factors such as weather, festivals, and electoral roll revisions are also taken into consideration by the Election Commission before announcing elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which serves as AAP's main opposition in Delhi, has dismissed Kejriwal's resignation as a mere "publicity stunt" to garner public sympathy. It is worth noting that Kejriwal is the third AAP leader to be arrested in connection with alleged irregularities in the now-abolished alcohol sales policy. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP leader Sanjay Singh were also detained in the case, with Sisodia being granted bail in August after spending 17 months in jail, and Singh released on bail in April.

The policy in question was introduced by the AAP in 2021 with the aim of combating black market sales, generating revenue, and ensuring equitable distribution of liquor licenses. However, it was later withdrawn following accusations from Delhi's Lieutenant-Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, who accused the AAP of manipulating the rules to benefit private liquor barons. The AAP has categorically denied these charges and accused the BJP of unjustly targeting opposition leaders through investigating agencies.

Replacing Kejriwal as the new Chief Minister of Delhi is Atishi, who at the age of 43 has become the youngest and third female to hold this position. Atishi currently holds key portfolios in Delhi's cabinet, including water, finance, power, and education. In the absence of senior AAP leaders who were recently incarcerated, Atishi emerged as the face of the party and gained recognition as a formidable leader. Her parents' academic background and her own education at Delhi University and the University of Oxford have greatly influenced her political journey.

Atishi's contributions as an advisor to former Deputy Chief Minister Sisodia have played a pivotal role in revamping Delhi's public schools. Her dedication to education reform propelled her to be elected to the Delhi assembly in 2020, despite her unsuccessful bid in the 2019 parliamentary elections against former cricketer Gautam Gambhir. Earlier this year, Atishi made headlines when she undertook an indefinite hunger strike to shed light on Delhi's water crisis during the scorching summer months.

In other news, the West Bengal government has agreed to remove a top police officer and two senior health officials. Details surrounding this development remain undisclosed at this time.