Woman power in Delhi Assembly: AAP picks Atishi to counter BJP’s Rekha

In a strategic move to counter BJP’s advantage in appointing a woman as Delhi’s Chief Minister, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday named Atishi as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly.

With this, for the first time in Delhi’s history, both the chief minister and the LoP will be women, setting the stage for a politically charged battle between two formidable female leaders.

AAP’s decision to appoint Atishi as the LoP is being seen as a tactical move to challenge BJP’s Rekha Gupta, who recently took oath as Delhi’s fourth woman Chief Minister.

The party, which faced a massive electoral defeat, appears to be crafting a narrative around gender representation to stay relevant in Delhi’s political discourse.

Oxford-educated Atishi, a key architect of AAP’s education reforms and former caretaker CM, is known for her sharp political acumen and governance expertise.

The political confrontation between the two leaders is expected to be intense. Rekha Gupta, a seasoned BJP leader with strong RSS roots, has wasted no time in asserting her authority. In her first cabinet meeting, she approved the long-pending tabling of 14 CAG reports, a move likely aimed at scrutinising AAP’s tenure.

Atishi, who is known for her eloquence and administrative experience, will have the challenging task of holding the BJP government accountable while leading a depleted AAP in the Assembly.

Political watchers believe it will be difficult for speaker Vijender Gupta — who was once a contender for the CM post — to tackle Atishi in the Assembly. During AAP’s rule, Vijender was often marshalled out of the Assembly. Now, with Atishi leading the charge, he may find himself in an awkward position.

The newly-elected MLAs will take oath on 25 February, followed by the tabling of the CAG reports the next day. In the recently held Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP won 48 seats, while the AAP secured 22 seats. This marked a significant decline for AAP, which held 62 seats in the 2020 Assembly

The first session of the Assembly under Rekha Gupta’s leadership will be a key test for both the ruling BJP and the opposition AAP. While the BJP will aim to cement its governance credentials, AAP is expected to use its experience and political sharpness to keep the BJP government in check.

The Delhi Assembly is set to witness a high-voltage political duel between two women leaders, marking a significant shift in Delhi’s political landscape. With Atishi and Rekha Gupta at the helm of their respective camps, the battle lines are drawn for a new era of political confrontation in Delhi.