In a historic moment at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, Rekha Gupta was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi, marking the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) return to power in the national capital after 27 years. The swearing-in ceremony was a grand affair attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several NDA Chief Ministers, senior BJP leaders, and thousands of party supporters. The event was seen as a significant political milestone, symbolizing the BJP’s resurgence in a state where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had dominated for nearly a decade.
Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, took the oath of office in the presence of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Dressed in a red saree paired with a black jacket, her attire drew comparisons to the late BJP stalwart Sushma Swaraj, a leader known for her influential political presence. As she stepped forward to take her oath, the large crowd erupted into chants of "Jai Shri Ram," reflecting the BJP’s deep ideological connection with its voter base.
Alongside Gupta, six other MLAs were sworn in as Cabinet ministers, including Parvesh Verma, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, Ashish Sood, Pankaj Kumar Singh, and Ravinder Indraj Singh. While their respective portfolios are yet to be announced, political analysts see this as a well-balanced representation of Delhi’s diverse caste and community demographics. Manjinder Singh Sirsa represents the Sikh community, Parvesh Verma is a prominent Jat leader, and Kapil Mishra is the BJP's Brahmin face. Ashish Sood, hailing from the Punjabi Khatri community, and Ravinder Indraj Singh, a Dalit leader, further reinforce the BJP's inclusive approach. Pankaj Kumar Singh, a dentist by profession, represents the Purvanchali community, a voter bloc that played a crucial role in the BJP’s electoral success.
Rekha Gupta’s elevation to the Chief Minister’s post is a landmark moment, as she becomes the fourth woman to hold this office in Delhi, following in the footsteps of Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi Marlena. Born in Haryana’s Jind district, Gupta pursued her education at Delhi University’s Daulat Ram College, earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree. She later obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in 2022. Her political journey began with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), where she served as the President of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) from 1996 to 1997.
Her rise in politics was steady, starting as a municipal councilor from Pitampura North in 2007. She was re-elected twice and went on to hold the position of General Secretary in the Delhi BJP unit. Despite facing electoral setbacks in the Delhi Assembly elections of 2015 and 2020, Gupta remained an influential party figure and was eventually appointed as the national vice-president of BJP’s Mahila Morcha. Her perseverance and grassroots connections helped her secure the party’s confidence, leading to her nomination as the Chief Minister after the BJP’s landslide victory.
The BJP’s triumph in the Delhi elections, securing 48 out of 70 seats, marks a significant shift in the political landscape. The party’s campaign focused on core issues such as pollution control, improved public transport, enhanced infrastructure, and better governance—factors that resonated with voters disillusioned with AAP’s governance. The party also capitalized on concerns over corruption allegations against AAP leaders, promising a transparent and efficient administration.
With the new government taking charge, all eyes are now on the allocation of ministerial portfolios, which will offer insights into the BJP’s governance strategy for Delhi. As Rekha Gupta steps into her role as Chief Minister, expectations are high regarding her ability to implement policies that address Delhi’s challenges, from air pollution and traffic congestion to water shortages and waste management. Political observers are also keen to see how she balances the BJP’s vision with the aspirations of Delhi’s diverse population.
Gupta’s tenure is expected to usher in a new phase of governance, focusing on development, law and order, and administrative efficiency. The people of Delhi, having placed their trust in the BJP after nearly three decades, will be watching closely to see if the party delivers on its promises and brings about tangible improvements in the city’s governance and infrastructure.
