Agencies, Kolkata, February 19, 2025: In a historic move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced Rekha Gupta as the new Chief Minister of Delhi on Wednesday, February 19. Gupta, who won the Shalimar Bagh seat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, will take her oath of office on Thursday, February 20, at a grand ceremony at Ram Leela Ground, which is expected to be attended by numerous dignitaries, celebrities, and party workers.
Gupta’s selection marks a significant milestone for the BJP as it returns to power in Delhi after 27 years. Notably, Gupta becomes the fourth woman to hold the position of Delhi Chief Minister, joining the ranks of Sushma Swaraj (BJP), Sheila Dikshit (Congress), and Atishi (AAP). In addition to Gupta’s appointment, BJP MP-elect Parvesh Verma has been elected as Deputy Chief Minister, while Vijender Gupta has been named as the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly.
Gupta, an experienced BJP leader, secured 68,200 votes to win the Shalimar Bagh seat. She has a long-standing history within the party, having served as the president and general secretary of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU). She has also represented the North Pitampura constituency in the MCD elections and has held several significant roles within the party’s organizational structure. Gupta emerged victorious in her contest against AAP’s Bandana Kumari by a margin of 29,595 votes.
The announcement of Gupta as Delhi’s new CM comes after a period of intense speculation, which began following the BJP’s decisive victory in the Delhi Assembly elections on February 8. The BJP clinched 48 of the 70 Assembly seats, signaling a remarkable political transformation for the party, which had struggled in the previous two elections. In contrast, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which was aiming for a third consecutive term, won only 22 seats.
The BJP’s decision-making process began in the afternoon with a meeting of the party’s highest governing body, the Parliamentary Board. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had been abroad, presided over the meeting, which designated Ravi Shankar Prasad and Om Prakash Dhankar as observers for the gathering of newly elected BJP MLAs. The selection of the new Delhi CM was confirmed during a meeting of the party’s MLAs later in the day.
Gupta’s swearing-in ceremony is set to take place at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 20, and preparations are well underway. The event will be attended by high-profile figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, VK Saxena. Union ministers, chief ministers from BJP-led states, and other key political personalities will also be present, though some may be unable to attend due to ongoing state budget sessions.
Around 50,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony, with estimates suggesting the crowd could swell to 100,000. The event will be preceded by a cultural program, including music and songs, and around 30,000 guests have been invited to witness the historic occasion.
Gupta, a prominent figure in student politics, was born in Nandgarh village, Haryana, in 1974. She moved to Delhi with her family at the age of two and later became an active member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Her political career with the BJP began in the early 2000s, and she held key roles within the party, including National Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and General Secretary of the Delhi BJP Women’s Wing.
Her appointment as Delhi’s Chief Minister is seen as a significant achievement for the BJP, which has secured a dominant victory in the capital after decades of opposition rule. Gupta’s commitment to public service and her dedication to the development of Delhi are central to her new role, as she pledges to work with integrity and dedication for the welfare of the city’s residents.
This marks a new chapter in Delhi’s political landscape, as the BJP aims to usher in an era of development, empowerment, and progress for the national capital under the leadership of Rekha Gupta.
