Atishi to be new chief minister of India's capital territory Delhi

SAJJAD HUSSAIN/ AFP

Atishi will take over as the new chief minister of India's national capital territory Delhi after the resignation of incumbent Arvind Kejriwal, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party said on Tuesday.

At 43, Atishi will be the youngest and the third woman to lead Delhi. Currently, she holds significant portfolios in the state cabinet.

Kejriwal stepped down after being granted bail in a corruption case related to a now-cancelled alcohol sales policy. He spent five months in jail but has denied the allegations. 

Kejriwal has indicated he will return to office only if his Aam Aadmi Party is re-elected in the upcoming Delhi elections scheduled for February.

He has proposed moving the elections to November to coincide with polls in Maharashtra state, but experts suggest this is unlikely.

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