Who Is Atishi Marlena, The New Chief Minister Of Delhi?

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday declared Atishi Marlena Singh as the new Chief Minister of Delhi during a legislative party meeting. After Kejriwal’s resignation announcement on Sunday, speculation regarding Atishi’s appointment had intensified.

However, putting an end to all speculations, Kejriwal himself proposed Atishi’s name in the meeting, which was unanimously backed by MLAs.

Read also: Arvind Kejriwal Proposes Atishi Marlena As Delhi’s New CM

Born to Delhi University Professors Vijay Kumar Singh and Tripta Wahi, Atishi has an impressive academic background, with a history degree from St. Stephen’s College, two master’s degrees from Oxford University, and one as a Rhodes Scholar.

Her middle name, ‘Marlena,’ a blend of the names Max and Lenin’, reflects her ideological roots. Atishi’s educational journey began in Delhi, where she completed her high school education at Springdales School, Pusa Road. She later pursued her undergraduate degree in history from the prestigious St. Stephen’s College in 2001.

Atishi spent seven years in a Madhya Pradesh village, engaging in organic farming and education reform, which eventually led her to join AAP at its inception.

In AAP since 2012, Marlena has played a crucial role in the party and the government since Chief Minister Kejriwal appointed her advisor to Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, primarily for education.

The party functionaries highlighted her importance by proposing that Atishi hoist the national flag on behalf of Kejriwal at the Delhi government’s Independence Day function.

The MLA representing Kalkaji assembly constituency, Atishi, has been at the forefront of the party’s communication efforts and has taken the lead in addressing crucial issues such as the Delhi water dispute with neighbouring states.

Atishi has been vocal on day-to-day party affairs and in taking on BJP and LG.

She has always made substantial contributions to its expansion and progress, playing a crucial role as a key member of the manifesto drafting committee for the 2013 assembly elections and formulating the party’s objectives and vision.

Read also: Labour Ministry Directs Gig Firms To Register Workers For Social Security Benefits

In the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, which were held in 2020, Atishi was given a ticket from the Kalkaji constituency of South Delhi. She defeated BJP’s Dharambir Singh by at least 11,000 votes.

In 2018, Atishi, while contesting as the AAP’s candidate from the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat, had to drop her ‘Marlena’ surname from her Twitter handle after a whisper campaign, allegedly by the BJP, that she is a Christian. She said that she wanted to “stop the BJP from polarising the election.”