Key Points:
- Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, has been chosen as Delhi’s new Chief Minister by the BJP Legislature Party.
- The BJP returns to power in Delhi after 27 years, securing a landslide victory with 48 out of 70 seats in the Assembly elections.
- The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday, February 20, with over 50,000 attendees, including PM Modi and other top leaders.
- Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi constituency, is set to become Deputy Chief Minister.
- The new BJP government pledges to address key issues like Yamuna pollution, infrastructure upgrades, and women’s welfare within its first 100 days.
New Delhi: After 11 days of suspense following the Delhi Assembly election results, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced Rekha Gupta as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. Gupta’s appointment marks a historic moment as she becomes the first BJP leader to hold the position in 27 years. The decision was finalized during a meeting of the BJP Legislature Party at the party’s headquarters on Wednesday evening.
Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, defeated AAP’s Bandana Kumari by a margin of 29,595 votes in the recent elections. Known for her grassroots connection and leadership skills, Gupta has previously served as President of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) and is celebrated for her strong administrative capabilities.
BJP’s Return to Power After 27 Years
The BJP’s victory in the February 5 elections ended AAP’s decade-long dominance in Delhi. The saffron party won 48 out of 70 seats, while AAP managed only 22 seats. This marked a significant shift in Delhi’s political landscape, with key AAP leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia losing their seats. Kejriwal was defeated by BJP’s Parvesh Verma in the New Delhi constituency by over 4,000 votes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the victory as a mandate for development and criticized AAP’s governance model. In his congratulatory message to Rekha Gupta, Modi said: “This victory reflects the trust of Delhiites in good governance and development.”
Grand Swearing-In Ceremony at Ramlila Maidan
Preparations are underway for a grand swearing-in ceremony at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday afternoon. The event is expected to attract over 50,000 attendees, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and Chief Ministers from NDA-ruled states. Prominent personalities from business, culture, and academia are also expected to attend.
Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena will administer the oath of office to Rekha Gupta and her council of ministers at 12:35 PM. BJP sources revealed that two Deputy Chief Ministers will also be sworn in as part of an inclusive governance strategy. Parvesh Verma is confirmed as one Deputy CM, while another name representing Dalit or Purvanchali communities is expected to be announced soon.
Key Promises and Challenges for the New Government
The BJP government faces high expectations after making several ambitious promises during its campaign. Some of the key priorities include:
- Women’s Welfare: Disbursement of ₹2,500 to eligible women beneficiaries by March 8 (International Women’s Day).
- Infrastructure Development: Upgrading roads, bridges, and public transport systems across Delhi.
- Yamuna Cleanup: Installation of sewage treatment plants (STPs) to tackle pollution in the Yamuna River.
- Air Quality Improvement: Measures to combat air pollution through stricter emission regulations and green initiatives.
Rekha Gupta emphasized her commitment to delivering on these promises during her first press briefing: “Our government will focus on making Delhi a cleaner, safer, and more livable city for everyone.”
A Tough Road Ahead
While the BJP celebrates its return to power in Delhi after nearly three decades, challenges lie ahead for the new government:
- Budgetary Constraints: With rising subsidies under previous administrations, managing fiscal discipline will be critical.
- Public Expectations: Having unseated AAP on promises of better governance and development, every move by the new administration will be closely scrutinized.
- Opposition Criticism: AAP leaders have vowed to hold BJP accountable for its campaign promises.
Who is Rekha Gupta?
Rekha Gupta was born in Jind district, Haryana, in 1974 and moved to Delhi with her family at the age of two. She completed her education in Delhi and rose through political ranks as a student leader at Delhi University. Known for her strong organizational skills and dedication to public service, Gupta has been a prominent face within BJP circles.
Her appointment as Chief Minister reflects BJP’s strategy to bring fresh faces into leadership roles while maintaining a focus on grassroots connections.
As Rekha Gupta takes charge as Chief Minister on February 20, all eyes will be on how she steers Delhi toward fulfilling BJP’s vision of development and governance. With significant promises made during the campaign and high-profile challenges awaiting resolution such as pollution control and infrastructure upgrades the new government has its task clearly cut out.
The swearing-in ceremony will not only mark a new chapter for Delhi but also set the tone for BJP’s governance model in urban centers across India.
