Delhi CM Atishi Singh submitted her resignation to LG V.K. Saxena

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Singh submitted her resignation to Lieutenant Governor (LG) V.K. Saxena on Sunday, days after the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) big loss in the February 5 assembly elections. Atishi, who successfully retained her Kalkaji seat, handed over her resignation at Raj Niwas, marking a major shift in the city’s political landscape.

The LG’s office confirmed that Saxena has asked Atishi Singh to continue in her position until a new government is formed in response to her resignation. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 48 of the 70 assembly seats and is expected to stake its claim to power next week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns from a foreign visit, according to party leaders.

A statement posted by Raj Niwas on its official social media handle read, “Hon’ble Lt Governor, Shri VK Saxena today received the resignation of Hon’ble CM, Ms Atishi. He asked her to continue in her position till the formation of the new government.” The LG officially dissolved the Delhi Assembly on Saturday, February 8.

The resignation came after the BJP won a landslide victory in the elections and returned to power in Delhi for the first time in more than 26 years. AAP, led by Atishi, secured 22 seats, while Congress did not manage to win a single seat.

Atishi had taken over the office of Chief Minister in September 2024 after Arvind Kejriwal resigned as her predecessor and AAP’s national convener amid allegations of corruption.

Notwithstanding the defeat, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, “We stand committed to the role of being a constructive opposition in the very next legislative session. We take the people’s mandate with utmost humility. The AAP is that party which not only understands but also recognizes its mistakes and continues to work to rectify the same. Certainly, we shall look into reasons why our vote share has gone down.”.

She also said AAP would ensure the BJP remains accountable to the promises made for the people of Delhi. “We will make sure that we will hold the BJP accountable to the promises they have made for the people of Delhi,” Kakkar added.

As Delhi moves towards the formation of a new government, political observers will be watching closely for developments in the capital’s shifting power dynamics.