New Delhi chief minister resigns after bribery bail release

Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of New Delhi and a prominent opposition leader, resigned from his position shortly after being released on bail from a bribery case. He was arrested in March for allegedly accepting bribes from a liquor distributor, a charge he has vehemently denied, claiming it is part of a political conspiracy orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. This arrest has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who argue that it reflects a pattern of using federal agencies to undermine political rivals. Following his resignation, Kejriwal's party, the Aam Admi Party, appointed Atishi, a close ally and key minister, as his successor. Atishi, who has held significant portfolios including finance and education, is expected to lead the party as it navigates the political fallout from the corruption allegations. Kejriwal stated he would only return to his role if re-elected in the upcoming assembly elections, indicating a strategic retreat in light of the charges against him. The Supreme Court's decision to grant bail was based on the likelihood that the trial would take considerable time. However, the court imposed restrictions on Kejriwal, including prohibiting him from meeting witnesses and requiring oversight of his decisions by the capital's governor. The bribery allegations involve a substantial sum of 1 billion rupees, which has raised serious questions about the integrity of his administration. Political analysts suggest that the corruption charges have tarnished the reputation of Kejriwal's party, which initially gained popularity through an anti-corruption platform. His resignation is viewed as a tactical move to mitigate damage and potentially restore public confidence ahead of the elections, as the party seeks to regain its footing in a challenging political landscape.