Arvind Kejriwal Resigns as Delhi Chief Minister Amid Legal Battles

Indian opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal resigned as Delhi's chief minister after being released from prison on bail. Kejriwal, facing charges related to irregularities in the city's liquor policy, aims to regain his post by winning voters' confidence in the upcoming elections.

Indian opposition leader Arvind Kejriwal announced his resignation as chief minister of the Delhi regional government on Sunday, just two days after being released from prison on bail in a corruption case.

Kejriwal, who was granted bail by India's Supreme Court on Friday, left prison almost six months after being detained over alleged irregularities in Delhi's liquor policy. He is a vocal critic of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has a history as an anti-corruption crusader. His Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) quickly gained traction in mainstream politics, despite its limited influence compared to older opposition parties.

AAP had anticipated that Kejriwal's release would enable him to campaign in the upcoming regional elections in Haryana next month and in Delhi early next year. During a meeting with AAP workers, Kejriwal stated he would only return as chief minister if people vote for him in the Delhi election. He called on the Election Commission to advance the Delhi election to November, coinciding with Maharashtra's elections.

'I demand elections be held in November alongside the Maharashtra elections, immediately,' Kejriwal said. Initially detained in March by India's financial crime agency, he was held just weeks before the national elections over Delhi's liquor policy. Although granted bail in July, he remained detained due to another arrest by the federal police over related charges. Kejriwal and AAP deny all allegations, labeling them as 'politically motivated'.

(With inputs from agencies.)