Atishi chosen as Delhi’s first woman Leader of Opposition as BJP holds state's power

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Feb 23 appointed Atishi as the Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the Delhi Assembly, making her the first woman to hold this position.

The announcement comes as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumes power in the capital after 27 years, securing a majority with 48 MLAs.

AAP leader Gopal Rai confirmed Atishi's appointment following a legislative party meeting, “In challenging times, Atishi has served the people of Delhi as the Chief Minister. AAP will fulfill the responsibility of a healthy opposition.” Rai said.

Congratulating her, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote on X, “Atishi ji will lead AAP in the House. AAP will play the role of constructive opposition in the interest of the people of Delhi.”

Atishi briefly served as Delhi’s Chief Minister last September, becoming the youngest to assume the post at 43. Kejriwal had resigned to seek a fresh mandate, but AAP failed to maintain its dominance.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi’s Chief Minister at Ramlila Maidan on Feb 20, becoming the fourth woman to hold the position. The BJP strategically announced her candidacy at the last moment, considering multiple contenders before finalizing her name.

Alongside CM Gupta, six ministers took oath: Parvesh Verma, Ashish Sood, Kapil Mishra, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ravinder Kumar Indraj, and Pankaj Kumar Singh.

BJP’s victory marks a major political shift in Delhi, defeating key AAP leaders, including Kejriwal in New Delhi, Manish Sisodia in Jangpura, and Saurabh Bharadwaj in Greater Kailash.

AAP had previously dominated Delhi’s 2015 and 2020 elections with sweeping victories, reducing BJP to single digits and keeping Congress out of power after its 15-year rule under Sheila Dikshit. Now, with a new political landscape in Delhi, both parties are preparing for their new roles — one in governance, the other in opposition.