"Saying anything right now will be assessment": AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj after PAC meeting on Delhi's next CM

New Delhi [India], September 16 (ANI): As Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal prepares to resign, Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said on Monday that Kejriwal had a one-on-one discussion with all leaders and ministers during the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) meeting. He added that any comments on the next CM would be speculative.
The AAP held a PAC meeting today at CM Kejriwal's residence to discuss the new Chief Minister.
Bharadwaj said, "Yesterday, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced that he will step down on Tuesday. In this regard, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal convened a PAC meeting, attended by all senior leaders and cabinet ministers of Delhi. He had one-on-one discussions with all leaders and ministers about the new CM. Tomorrow, a second session of this meeting will take place with the MLAs."
"As one-on-one discussions have taken place, no one knows the name of the new CM. Speculating at this point would be premature," he added.
Meanwhile, AAP will hold a legislative meeting at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the CM's residence to finalise the name of the new Chief Minister.
AAP leader Sandeep Pathak said, "The next Chief Minister of Delhi will be decided within the next 1-2 days. A legislative party meeting will select one. Arvind Kejriwal is not drawn to power; his greatest priority is his honour."
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is set to meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Tuesday at the LG Secretariat, following his resignation announcement.
The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. According to party sources, Kejriwal is expected to step down as Delhi CM on Tuesday.
Kejriwal announced on Sunday that he would resign and would not resume the CM's post until the people of Delhi declared him "honest." He has also called for advancing polls in the national capital to November this year, ahead of the scheduled February elections.
Kejriwal stated that if re-elected by the public, it would serve as a "certificate" of his honesty. He added that he would push for early elections, alongside those in Maharashtra.
He was released from Tihar Jail on Friday evening, after being granted bail by the Supreme Court in a corruption case related to the alleged Delhi Excise Policy scam.
The apex court also imposed certain conditions on Kejriwal's release, including that he must refrain from making public comments about the case and must attend all hearings before the trial court unless exempted.
Following Kejriwal's announcement, the BJP dismissed it as a "PR stunt," claiming he was trying to rehabilitate his image.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tiwari on Monday stated that in the history of India, no CM has ever been removed from office by the court.
Congress' Sandeep Dikshit on Monday criticised Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's resignation announcement, calling it a decision driven more by business interests than by politics.
Dikshit also alleged that Kejriwal's resignation and subsequent call for elections were strategic moves rather than genuine acts of public service.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson CR Kesavan said on Monday that Kejriwal's resignation was another shady stunt.
Speaking to ANI, Kesavan remarked, "This is yet another shady stunt by Arvind Kejriwal. Kejriwal is the embodiment of corruption. With all the charges against him, particularly as the kingpin of the liquor scam, he is afraid to face the people. This resignation drama is an attempt to deceive the public."
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday also criticised Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's resignation statement, calling it a performance and suggesting that Kejriwal was well aware of the restrictions placed on him by the Supreme Court. (ANI)