Senior AAP leader Ashish Khetan on Wednesday resigned as the vice-chairman of the Delhi government’s advisory body, saying he now wanted to practise law, and sources indicated that party leader Atishi Marlena may succeed him.

The likely appointment of Marlena could take place after her removal as advisor to Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, following a direction of the Union Home Ministry.

Arunoday Prakash and Amardeep Tiwari, the other advisors who were removed along with Marlena, could also be accommodated in government-associated bodies.

The General Administration Department (GAD) of the Delhi government yesterday cancelled appointment of nine advisors to its ministers, including of the two aiding Sisodia, saying it was done on the directions of the ministry.

In a letter to the GAD on 10 April, the ministry had said no approval of the central government was taken for creation of the posts to which the nine advisors were appointed on a co-terminus basis.

Khetan, a journalist-turned-politician and a trusted aide of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, was appointed the vice-chairman of the Dialogue and Development Commission (DDC) three years ago. The DDC is headed by the chief minister.

Sources said the resignation of Khetan has been accepted by the GAD.

“I have resigned as VC, DDC, with effect from 16 April. During the past three years I had a unique opportunity to shape public policy & bring about reform and change in governance. I am grateful to Arvind Kejriwal, the Hon’ble CM, for giving me this wonderful opportunity,” Khetan wrote on Twitter.

“I am joining the legal profession and enrolling with the Bar at Delhi, which actually necessitated my resignation from the DDC. Bar Council Rules prohibit practicing advocates from any kind of private or government employment,” he said in another tweet.

Khetan said besides pursuing routine cases, he would take up legal causes in the larger public interest. An AAP functionary, who did not wish to be named, said Marlena, who was assisting Sisodia in “improving the education system” in Delhi as his advisor, could become the next vice-chairman of the DDC.

“Marlena’s name is the first choice for the post, even as a final call will be taken
by the chief minister soon,” he said.