Rekha Gupta, a first-time Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Shalimar Bagh, took oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi on Thursday, marking the party’s triumphant return to power in the national capital after nearly three decades. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the historic Ramlila Maidan at noon, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top BJP leaders.
Gupta, 50, became the fourth woman Chief Minister of Delhi, following in the footsteps of Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi. She will also be the only incumbent woman Chief Minister in any BJP-ruled state. Her appointment reflects the BJP’s focus on women’s empowerment, a key theme in its recent election campaign.
LIVE: Swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Delhi. https://t.co/jJHljT1zrp
— BJP (@BJP4India) February 20, 2025
The Aaj Tak quoted her as saying, “PM Modi’s vision and positivity towards women have made this possible. Choosing a middle-class woman for such a significant role is a big decision, and I deeply thank the top leadership for their trust in me. They have given me this immense responsibility, and I am committed to fulfilling it with dedication,” she said.
दिल्ली में अब बहेगी विकास की बयार, विकसित दिल्ली का अपना संकल्प पूरा करेगी भाजपा की डबल इंजन सरकार#दिल्ली_में_भाजपा_सरकार pic.twitter.com/I0L18591TW
— BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) February 20, 2025
BJP’s Strategic Victory in Delhi Elections
Gupta won the Shalimar Bagh constituency in the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections, securing more than 29,000 votes and defeating her Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) opponent Bandana Kumari. Her campaign tagline, “Kaam hi Pehchaan” (My work is my identity), resonated with voters, positioning her as a leader committed to governance and accountability.
ALSO READ: BJP names Rekha Gupta as Delhi CM, to take oath on Thursday
After BJP’s landslide victory, speculation was rife over who would lead the government. Gupta emerged as a frontrunner among other BJP heavyweights, including Parvesh Verma, Ashish Sood, Vijender Gupta, and Satish Upadhyay.
Oath-Taking Ceremony and Council of Ministers
Gupta’s oath-taking ceremony also witness the swearing-in of her Council of Ministers, including Parvesh Verma, Ashish Sood, Pankaj Singh, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, and Ravinder Indraj. Former Delhi Chief Ministers Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi have been invited to the event, signaling a message of political inclusivity.
The Council of Ministers who took oath. (screenshot)
A former Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) president and municipal councillor, Gupta has steadily risen through the ranks of the BJP. On Wednesday night, she was formally elected as the Leader of the BJP Legislative Party in the Delhi Assembly, following which Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena invited her to form the government.
The official X handle of the Lt Governor’s office confirmed the development, stating, “Leader of the BJP Legislative Party in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Smt Rekha Gupta, called on Hon’ble LG, Shri V. K. Saxena at Raj Niwas and staked her claim to form the new Government of NCT of Delhi. Hon’ble LG accepted the claim and invited her to form the new government.”
BJP’s Focus on Women-Centric Policies
As part of its strategy to reclaim Delhi, the BJP made significant promises to women voters. The party’s manifesto pledged a Rs 2,500 monthly aid for women, Rs 21,000 for pregnant women, and pensions for senior citizens, a move aimed at outshining AAP’s offer of Rs 2,100 per month for women.
Before her swearing-in, Gupta assured the people of Delhi that her government would focus on transparency and governance. “The previous corrupt government of Delhi will have to give an account of every rupee belonging to the people,” she stated while addressing reporters outside her residence.
She also extended an olive branch to opposition leaders, saying, “I thank Arvind Kejriwal for his best wishes. I hope all of us work together towards the betterment of Delhi.”
