Rekha Gupta Delhi’s New Chief Minister
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday appointed Rekha Gupta, MLA-elect from Shalimar Bagh, as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. Gupta will take the oath of office on Thursday, February 20, at Ram Leela Ground, with the event expected to host high-profile dignitaries, celebrities, and party supporters.
Meanwhile, BJP MP-elect Parvesh Verma, who defeated AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal from the New Delhi seat, has been named Deputy Chief Minister, while Vijender Gupta has been appointed as the Assembly Speaker.
Rekha Gupta Becomes Fourth Woman CM of Delhi
Gupta’s appointment marks her as the fourth woman Chief Minister of Delhi after Sushma Swaraj (BJP), Sheila Dikshit (INC), and Atishi (AAP).
In the 2025 Delhi Assembly Election, Gupta secured a resounding victory from Shalimar Bagh (North-West) with 68,200 votes, defeating AAP’s Bandana Kumari by a margin of 29,595 votes. A seasoned BJP leader, Gupta has previously served as General Secretary and President of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) and is a member of the party’s national executive. She has also completed two successful terms as a municipal councillor from Uttari Pitampura (2007) and North Pitampura (2012).
BJP’s Triumphant Return to Power in Delhi
The BJP’s return to power in Delhi comes after a 26-year hiatus, following its thumping victory in the 2025 Assembly elections, where it secured 48 of the 70 seats. This marks a significant turnaround from the 11 seats it won in the last two elections. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which was aiming for a third consecutive term, managed to win only 22 seats.
The selection process for the new CM began on Wednesday noon, with the BJP Parliamentary Board appointing ex-Cabinet Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and National Secretary Om Prakash Dhankar as observers for the MLA meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose recent visits to France and the US had delayed the process, presided over the meeting.
Grand Oath Ceremony at Ram Leela Ground
The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on February 20 at Ram Leela Ground, with an expected attendance of 50,000 to 100,000 people, including party supporters and city residents. Three platforms will be set up:
Main platform: For Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, BJP President JP Nadda, the new CM Rekha Gupta, and her cabinet ministers.
Second and third platforms: For Union ministers, chief ministers, deputy chief ministers from BJP-led states, and other dignitaries.
Among the key attendees will be Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena. Invitations have also been extended to outgoing Chief Minister Atishi and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. Around 40 celebrities are expected to add a touch of glamour to the event.
With Gupta’s leadership and the BJP’s renewed mandate, Delhi embarks on a new political chapter with a focus on governance, development, and empowering its citizens.
