Source Credit: NDTV
On Thursday afternoon, Rekha Gupta, associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi at a large oath-taking event at Ramlila Maidan. Notable attendees included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and various Chief Ministers from BJP-led states, such as N Chandrababu Naidu from Andhra Pradesh. Gupta’s swearing-in is a major event in Delhi's political history, being the fourth woman to take on this position, following Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi.
Gupta, a first-time MLA representing Shalimar Bagh, was seen as an unexpected choice. She won the Shalimar Bagh seat by defeating the Aam Aadmi Party’s Bandana Kumari. During the ceremony, six of her BJP colleagues were appointed to her cabinet, including Parvesh Verma, who won against AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi. Verma, a key BJP member, was sworn in second, reflecting his significance in the party.
In her initial comments after taking office, Gupta stated her commitment to Delhi’s progress, promising to serve with “honesty, integrity, and dedication” for the benefit of all citizens. The BJP also named former Leader of the Opposition, Vijender Gupta, as the new Speaker of the Delhi Assembly. The selection process for Gupta involved careful discussions among senior leaders, waiting for Modi to return from overseas, and ended with her appointment. Gupta's leadership is expected to bring a new style to governance in the capital.
