New Delhi: Atishi has been announced as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, following the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislative party elected her as their new leader. Prior to this, Atishi served in Kejriwals cabinet, overseeing key ministries such as Public Works Department (PWD) and Revenue. Her name had been speculated for the role ever since Kejriwals resignation, and now its official—Atishi will lead Delhi.Which community does Atishi belong toAtishi, the MLA from Kalkaji assembly constituency, comes from a family deeply rooted in academics. Her parents, Vijay Singh and Tripta, are both professors at Delhi University and belong to the Rajput community with Punjabi heritage. At 43, Atishi is married to Praveen Singh, a social worker, who also comes from a Rajput background. The couple knew each other before their marriage and gradually developed a relationship that led to their union.The mystery behind Atishis surnameInterestingly, Atishi doesnt use a surname. Her full name was initially Atishi Marlena, a unique choice influenced by her father Vijay Singhs admiration for Marxist ideology. The Marlena suffix is a combination of Marx and Lenin, reflecting her fathers left-leaning political beliefs. As a result, the family chose not to give her a traditional surname but instead opted for this ideological blend.Why was Atishi accused of being a ChristianDuring the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Atishis unusual surname became a point of controversy. The opposition falsely claimed she was a Christian, largely due to the confusion surrounding the name Marlena. As rumors spread across social media, the association between her name and Christianity gained traction. To avoid further misrepresentation, Atishi dropped Marlena from her name and now simply goes by Atishi.Controversy over Afzal Gurus mercy petitionWith Atishis appointment as Delhis CM, her parents have also come under scrutiny. Swati Maliwal, a former leader of both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and AAP, has alleged that Atishis parents supported Afzal Guru, the convict in the 2001 Parliament attack case. According to Maliwal, Vijay Singh and Tripta signed a petition seeking clemency for Guru. This revelation has sparked a fresh debate on social media, with people discussing the role Atishis family played in the controversial mercy petition.
