Delhi CM
BJP's first-time MLA Rekha Gupta to take oath as Delhi CM today
New Delhi/IBNS: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s first-time MLA Rekha Gupta will on Thursday take oath as the new Delhi Chief Minister, almost two weeks after the party returned to power in the national capital after 27 years.
Gupta, who won from Shalimar Bagh defeating three-time Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Bandana Kumari in the February 5 elections, will be the fourth woman CM of Delhi.
Former External Affairs Minister and BJP stalwart Sushma Swaraj, Congress giant leader Sheila Dikshit and AAP's Atishi had remained the women CMs of the city.
"I feel respected and proud. I have never thought of such a day as a woman coming from a nominal background," said Gupta speaking to India Today.
Gupta will succeed Atishi, who took charge of the top post last year replacing AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, who stepped down in the backdrop of his alleged involvement in the liquor scam case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, top BJP leaders including MPs and MLAs, industrialists, film personalities and religious leaders will be in attendance at the oath-taking ceremony, which will be held at Ramlila Maidan.
Gupta, who will be the second current woman CM in the country alongside West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee, has already met Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to stake claim to form the government, which was run by AAP with Kejriwal at the helm from 2015 to 2025 uninterrupted.
Congratulating Gupta, Atishi wrote on X, "Congratulations to Rekha Gupta ji on becoming the Chief Minister of Delhi. It is a matter of happiness that Delhi will be led by a woman. I hope that the promises made to the people of Delhi will be fulfilled. You will get the full support of Aam Aadmi Party for the development of Delhi."
दिल्ली की मुख्यमंत्री बनने पर रेखा गुप्ता जी को बधाई। यह खुशी की बात है कि दिल्ली का नेतृत्व एक महिला करेंगी। मुझे उम्मीद है कि दिल्ली वालो को किए गए वादे पूरे होंगे। दिल्ली के विकास के लिए आम आदमी पार्टी का पूरा सहयोग आपको मिलेगा।
— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) February 19, 2025
The Governor will also administer oaths to six cabinet ministers including Parvesh Verma, who had emerged as the frontrunner to become the CM after defeating Kejriwal from New Delhi constituency.
Who is Rekha Gupta?
Rekha Gupta is a senior BJP leader from Delhi, who is known for her extensive political career and student leadership.
The 50-year-old currently serves as the General Secretary of Delhi BJP and has previously been the National Vice President of BJP's Mahila Morcha.
Her political journey commenced with student politics when she served as President of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) from 1996 to 1997.
She later moved into mainstream politics, winning the Delhi Councillor elections from Uttari Pitampura (Ward 54) in 2007 and securing re-election in 2012.
A lawyer by profession, Gupta has also served as the Mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and is a first-time MLA to get elected this time.
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