Atishi becomes Delhi’s third woman Chief Minister, 17th in India’s history

Atishi Marlena becomes Delhi's youngest woman Chief Minister, following in the footsteps of 16 other women leaders in India.

AAP leader Atishi took oath on Saturday (September 21, 2024) as Delhi's third woman Chief Minister and became the youngest of all three to hold the top office in the National Capital. She also became the 17th woman to hold the post of Chief Minister in independent India.

The senior AAP leader, however, will have a brief tenure in office as Assembly elections in the National Capital are due in February.

Atishi takes oath as new Delhi Chief Minister live updates

A first-time legislator, Ms. Atishi is a key face of the party and managed the AAP's operations during Arvind Kejriwal's time in Tihar jail in connection with the excise policy case.

The Kalkaji MLA's name was proposed by Mr. Kejriwal, who tendered his resignation as Chief Minister, for the top post.

As Delhi's third woman Chief Minister, Ms. Atishi follows in the footsteps of the BJP's Sushma Swaraj and the Congress' Sheila Dikshit.

The 43-year-old is also Delhi's youngest woman Chief Minister. Dikshit was 60 years old when she took charge while Swaraj was 46.