In a historic move, Atishi has been appointed as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly, making her the first woman to hold this position. This marks the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) debut in the opposition space after being reduced to 22 seats in the 2025 Delhi elections.

Atishi’s appointment comes after she resigned as Delhi’s Chief Minister earlier this month, ending her 150-day tenure, which made her the second longest-serving woman CM after the late Sheila Dikshit.

Atishi’s Political Journey: From Behind-the-Scenes to Delhi’s Power Circle

Atishi joined AAP in 2013, working behind the scenes for nearly five years. Between 2015 and 2018, she served as an adviser to then-Education Minister Manish Sisodia, playing a key role in Delhi’s education reforms.

The 2018 Turning Point

• Atishi came into the limelight when 10 advisers of Delhi cabinet ministers were dismissed by the Union government.
• AAP revealed she was working for just ₹1 as an adviser, earning praise for her dedication.
• Her Oxford University education and contributions to education reform became widely discussed.
• She contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from East Delhi but lost to cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir.

Rise in AAP & Delhi Governance

2020: Won the Kalkaji MLA seat, marking the beginning of her mainstream political career.
2023: Became Delhi’s Education Minister, taking over from Sisodia after his arrest in the liquor policy case.
2024: Handled 13 portfolios, making her the most influential minister in Delhi’s cabinet.
August 15, 2024: Led Delhi’s Independence Day celebrations while top AAP ministers were in jail.
March 2025: Became Delhi’s Chief Minister after Kejriwal’s arrest, serving for over 150 days before stepping down.

Delhi Elections 2025: Atishi Retains Seat as AAP Faces Setback

Despite AAP’s massive electoral defeat, Atishi secured a crucial win in the 2025 Delhi elections. She successfully defended her Kalkaji seat, defeating BJP leader and former MP Ramesh Bidhuri by 3,500 votes with 52,154 votes.

Notably, AAP’s top leaders, including Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, lost their seats, making Atishi one of the few key leaders left standing in the party.

As one of AAP’s cleanest faces, she remains untouched by corruption charges, unlike many of her colleagues who are out on bail in corruption cases.

Battle with BJP: Atishi vs Rekha Gupta

With BJP’s Rekha Gupta becoming Delhi’s Chief Minister, Atishi’s selection as Leader of Opposition positions her as the strongest voice against the BJP government.

Atishi’s First Actions as LoP:

Taking on BJP’s Women’s Scheme Promise – She accused the Gupta-led government of failing to approve BJP’s promised financial assistance scheme for women.
Clarifying CAG Report Issue – Refuted BJP’s allegations, stating that as CM, she had signed and forwarded the CAG report for tabling in the Assembly, regardless of who formed the government.
Vowing to Hold BJP Accountable – She posted on X, committing to being a "strong opposition" that ensures BJP delivers on its promises.

The Road Ahead: A High-Stakes Face-Off in Delhi Politics

The upcoming Delhi Assembly sessions will be marked by an intense political battle between:
Rekha Gupta (BJP’s first-time MLA & CM)
Atishi (Former CM & Delhi’s first woman LoP)

With two strong women leading the charge, the fight for governance and policies—especially on women’s issues—will take center stage in the Assembly. Atishi vs Gupta is set to be a defining political rivalry in Delhi.