Delhi Lt Governor Says Atishi 'A Thousand Times Better' Than Kejriwal As AAP-BJP Tensions Flare Up
 

In a dramatic turn of events, Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena said Chief Minister Atishi was "a thousand times better" than her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal. This remark made by him during the convocation ceremony of Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women sent shockwaves in political circles as the relationship between Saxena and the AAP government has long been on tenterhooks.

Atishi, who took over as Delhi Chief Minister on September 21 following a short power play inside AAP, was sworn in days after the resignation amid the controversy surrounding the alleged liquor policy scam. The change in leadership would also bring significant change in the power dynamic in Delhi, for Atishi stepped into an office at a time when the AAP faced intense pressure from the BJP-led central government.

Lt Governor Saxena, who has always been at loggerheads with Kejriwal on most governance issues, had congratulated Atishi, lauding her leadership abilities, especially as the city's first female Chief Minister. "A thousand times better than her predecessor," he said, without any hesitation whatsoever to point an approving finger at Atishi's governance system, in which arrows pointed squarely at Kejriwal's rule.

This is remarkable given that Saxena, not long ago, had slammed AAP ministers, including Atishi herself. Earlier this year, Saxena has criticized both Atishi and Saurabh Bhardwaj on account of the "seriousness in not being serious" on their part over governance matters-accusations that have strained ties between the Lt Governor and AAP. Another reason is that the central government, being from the BJP, which Saxena represents, has constantly conflicted with the AAP over the Ayushman Bharat health scheme, among other factors, as the Delhi government, during Kejriwal's tenure, had not implemented the scheme.

Saxena's sudden compliment towards Atishi comes amid growing AAP-BJP tensions, particularly with the BJP looking to unseat AAP in the upcoming Delhi elections. With Atishi now at the helm, AAP hopes to continue its governance legacy despite the ongoing political challenges.

The politics in Delhi is as unpredictable as the weather there, particularly as it readies itself for a stiff battle in the elections scheduled for 2024. As such, Atishi and the role of the Lt Governor would play a significant part in deciding the state's political future.

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