In a historic political transition, Rekha Gupta of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was officially sworn in as Delhi’s Chief Minister at a grand ceremony held at Ramlila Maidan on February 20, 2025. This marks the BJP’s return to power in the national capital after nearly three decades, displacing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had governed Delhi for the past ten years.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President J.P. Nadda, and several Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states. Numerous political leaders, celebrities, and prominent members of Delhi’s business and social community were also present.
The event witnessed massive security measures, with over 25,000 personnel deployed, including Delhi Police, paramilitary forces, and special commandos. Strict entry protocols were enforced, and aerial surveillance was conducted to ensure safety, given the significance of the event.
Who is Rekha Gupta? A Closer Look at Delhi’s New CM
At 50 years old, Rekha Gupta is a seasoned BJP politician with a strong organizational background and extensive experience in municipal governance.
Early Political Journey and RSS Connection
Gupta’s political career began in the early 1990s when she joined the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). She rose to prominence as the President of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) in 1996-97, an achievement that showcased her leadership skills and ideological alignment with the BJP’s core values.
Municipal Politics and Rise in BJP
Gupta has served as a three-time Municipal Councillor and was the Mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). During her tenure in municipal governance, she focused on sanitation, women’s empowerment, and urban development.
In the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, she contested from the Shalimar Bagh constituency, securing a decisive victory over AAP’s Bandana Kumari by more than 29,000 votes. Her election campaign centered around women’s safety, infrastructure development, and BJP’s promise of a corruption-free administration.
BJP’s Strategy Behind Gupta’s Appointment
Gupta’s appointment as Delhi’s first BJP Chief Minister since 1998 reflects the party’s carefully crafted electoral and governance strategy.
- RSS-Backed Leadership – Her close ties with the RSS and ABVP indicate BJP’s focus on strengthening ideological control over governance in Delhi.
- Women-Centric Leadership – She is the fourth woman Chief Minister of Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj (1998), Sheila Dikshit (1998-2013), and Atishi Marlena (2024-2025). Her appointment aligns with BJP’s recent efforts to promote women leaders in governance.
- Caste and Community Balance – BJP’s choice also considers Delhi’s caste and demographic dynamics, as she appeals to upper-caste voters, traders, and middle-class professionals.
Formation of the New Delhi Cabinet
Alongside Rekha Gupta, six ministers were sworn in as part of the Delhi cabinet, representing diverse regional and caste interests.
- Parvesh Verma – Jat leader; son of former Delhi CM Sahib Singh Verma.
- Ashish Sood – Veteran BJP leader with strong RSS links.
- Manjinder Singh Sirsa – Prominent Sikh leader.
- Kapil Mishra – Former AAP leader who defected to BJP.
- Ravinder Indraj Singh – Represents Dalit communities.
- Pankaj Kumar Singh – Leader from the Purvanchali community.
BJP’s strategy behind this selection was to ensure representation from key voter bases – Jats, Punjabis, Dalits, and migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Challenges for Rekha Gupta’s Administration
While the BJP has made a historic comeback, governing Delhi comes with significant challenges.
Pollution Crisis
Delhi remains one of the most polluted cities in the world, facing severe air and water pollution. Gupta has promised a comprehensive pollution control plan, but critics question whether BJP can effectively implement reforms that the AAP government struggled with.
Infrastructure Development
Key focus areas include:
- Expanding metro connectivity
- Upgrading road networks
- Modernizing waste management systems
Public Services (Education & Healthcare)
- The ‘Mohalla Clinic’ model introduced by AAP remains popular. BJP has hinted at reforming it rather than scrapping it.
- BJP also promised to increase scholarships for students from economically weaker backgrounds.
Fiscal Management
BJP proposed a ₹2,500 monthly allowance for women and financial aid for small businesses. Critics argue these promises may strain Delhi’s budget, which has been historically dependent on the central government for funding.
Criticism and Controversies
Despite BJP’s celebration, Gupta’s appointment has not been without criticism.
- Lack of Chief Ministerial Experience – Critics argue that she has never held a major ministerial role before, raising doubts about her ability to lead a city as complex as Delhi.
- Old Controversial Statements Resurfacing
- Anti-AAP Rhetoric – Gupta’s past social media posts criticizing Arvind Kejriwal and AAP have resurfaced, raising concerns about her ability to work across party lines.
- Municipal Controversies – A video from her time in the MCD shows her vandalizing microphones during a heated session. Opposition leaders claim this reflects her aggressive political style.
- Backlash from AAP and Congress
- AAP leaders have called Gupta a “proxy CM,” alleging that real power will remain with BJP’s central leadership.
- Congress has accused BJP of “stealing AAP’s welfare policies” while failing to deliver meaningful governance in the past.
Public Reaction and Future Outlook
The swearing-in ceremony saw thousands of BJP supporters cheering for their new leader, while AAP and Congress held protest rallies against BJP’s return to power.
Key Questions Moving Forward:
- Will Gupta implement BJP’s promises, or will governance challenges slow down progress?
- How will she handle Delhi’s relationship with the central government?
- Can she win over the AAP voter base, or will anti-BJP sentiment resurface in future elections?
As Rekha Gupta steps into her new role, all eyes will be on how she navigates these challenges and whether she can deliver on BJP’s promises for a “New Delhi under new leadership.”
