Atishi: Oxford-educated AAP leader set to become Delhi Chief Minister

Delhi minister Atishi, backed by Arvind Kejriwal, emerged on Tuesday as the unanimous choice of AAP lawmakers to be the next Chief Minister. The 43-year-old who became the veritable face of the party as it battled multiple crises over the last few months will now become the third woman chief minister of Delhi after Sheila Dikshit and Sushma Swaraj.
Atishi Marlena Singh – she uses her first name now – is the MLA from Kalkaji in South Delhi. Her political resume in AAP has been nothing short of impressive, as she rose from being an adviser to former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in the education ministry to becoming a minister and then being entrusted with handling the most high-profile and highest number of portfolios as predecessor Arvind Kejriwal and two other leaders were incarcerated.
Born to Delhi University professors Vijay Kumar Singh and Tripta Wahi, Atishi was educated at Springdale School in New Delhi. Her academic journey took her to St Stephen’s College for a degree in history, followed by a Chevening scholarship at Oxford University, where she earned her first master’s degree. Later, she returned to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, earning a second master’s in Educational Research.
Before diving into politics, Atishi with her husband Praveen Singh, an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, spent seven years in a small village in Madhya Pradesh, engaging in organic farming and educational initiatives. Her grassroots work with several non-profits there led to her first encounter with members of AAP, which would mark the beginning of her political journey.
Atishi’s political career took off with her significant role in the party’s Manifesto Drafting Committee for the 2013 Delhi assembly election. She quickly became a key voice in shaping AAP’s early policies. A member of the AAP’s Political Affairs Committee, she represents the Kalkaji constituency and oversees the party’s East Delhi unit. Her influence in the education sector was particularly notable during her time as an advisor to former Education Minister Manish Sisodia, where she played a pivotal role in transforming the state of Delhi’s government schools.
Her activism extends beyond education. Atishi has been on the frontlines of major political battles, including leading protests against the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor scam case and taking a strong stance during the Delhi water crisis and the Swati Maliwal assault case.
Appointed as a minister in March 2023, Atishi has since expanded her influence, managing a staggering 14 portfolios — more than any other minister in Delhi’s government. Her importance is underscored by the fact that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, during his time in jail for a corruption case, nominated her to hoist the national flag in his place for the Delhi government’s Independence Day celebrations.
Atishi’s rise in Delhi’s political landscape is a testament to her dedication, intellect, and ability to navigate both policy and activism.
Atishi rose to prominence within AAP as she battled multiple political and administrative crises following the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal in the now-scrapped excise policy case. After Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21, she took on several of the party’s responsibilities, becoming a key public face. She led AAP’s electoral campaign during the Lok Sabha elections.
In June, Atishi made headlines for her protest against the Haryana government’s water allocation to Delhi, staging an indefinite hunger strike, highlighting her commitment to address key issues.