Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rekha Gupta was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi on Thursday in a grand ceremony of oath-taking at Ramlila Maidan.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena officiated the swearing-in of Gupta and her cabinet of ministers in the ceremony.
Six other ministers—Parvesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ravinder Indraj Singh, Kapil Mishra, and Pankaj Kumar Singh—along with her were also sworn into office.
The function was graced by senior BJP leaders, such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President JP Nadda, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. A number of other senior political leaders, such as union ministers and chief ministers of neighboring states, were also present.
Those present were Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM of Bihar Vijay Kumar Sinha, Deputy CM of Rajasthan Prem Chand Bairwa, Goa CM Pramod Sawant, and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu.
Having served in various organizational roles within the BJP and as a councillor in Delhi, Rekha Gupta brings significant experience in dealing with the capital’s challenges. With the BJP’s election manifesto promising a range of initiatives, she is expected to take a proactive approach to governance.
Gupta has now become Delhi’s fourth woman Chief Minister, following predecessors from the BJP, Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party.
Having been elected as an MLA from Shalimar Bagh, she was earlier the general secretary of BJP Mahila Morcha, Delhi, and was a member of the party's national executive committee. Throughout her career in politics, she has led various campaigns to bring prosperity to oppressed sections of society and promote the welfare of women.
Gupta started her political career in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student organization of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). A Daulat Ram College, Delhi University graduate, she was the President of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) in 1996-97 and actively fought for student causes. As a councillor for North Pitampura in 2007, she struggled to enhance civic facilities, such as libraries and parks. She is an LLB holder and also the founder of AAS, an NGO. She lost the mayoral election in 2023 to AAP candidate Shelly Oberoi.
Though a first-time MLA, the BJP leadership appointed the 50-year-old Gupta as Chief Minister over more experienced colleagues, allegedly as a part of the party's women empowerment agenda. The low-key approach she had adopted in comparison to other Delhi BJP leaders made her appointment after days of high-level speculation. The BJP's landslide win in the Delhi Assembly elections was announced on February 8, which was a major political change as the party brought an end to AAP's reign.
Being the only woman among BJP's current Chief Ministers, Gupta's promotion is a testament to the party's dedication to encouraging women leadership.
Following her election as the BJP legislature party leader, she was all grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party leadership, and the people of Delhi for placing faith in her.
Referring to her appointment as a "miracle" and a "new chapter," she underlined the importance of this moment for women politicians.
It is a miracle, it is a new inspiration and a new page. If I can become the CM, this means doors are open for all the women… Anyone who has been corrupt will have to account for each and every rupee," Gupta said.
She also expressed her gratitude to the BJP high command for their trust in her leadership.
"It is a gigantic responsibility. I thank PM Modi and BJP high command for trusting me… I will discharge my responsibility with the highest level of honesty… My top priority is to fulfill all the promises our party has made, and the second priority is that all our 48 MLAs will be an ensemble Modi. I never thought I would become a CM of Delhi," she added.
On Wednesday, Gupta was elected as the BJP legislative party leader in a meeting of newly-elected MLAs.
The BJP won a historic mandate, winning 48 seats and ending the Aam Aadmi Party's rule in Delhi.
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