BJP picks Rekha Gupta as Delhi Chief Minister

Rekha Gupta, the MLA from Shalimar Bagh, has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, the BJP announced on Wednesday. She was selected as the Leader of the House during the BJP legislature party meeting. With this win, the party has reclaimed power in Delhi after a gap of over 26 years.

Rekha Gupta may be a first-time MLA, but her political career spans years of experience. In choosing her for the CM role over other prominent figures, including Parvesh Verma, the BJP may be strategically positioning itself on multiple fronts.

By appointing Rekha Gupta as Delhi CM, the BJP seeks to build on the legacy of female leadership, drawing a contrast with Arvind Kejriwal’s tenure and positioning Gupta as a departure from the past, reports Financial Express.

The long tenure of female CMs in Delhi, along with the possibility of another five years with Gupta at the helm, highlights the contrast with Kejriwal’s 10-year reign. Gupta’s appointment aligns with BJP’s ongoing emphasis on increasing female representation in politics.

Unlike other Delhi BJP leaders, such as Ramesh Bidhuri and Parvesh Verma, who have faced controversy, Gupta has maintained a clean image.

Additionally, her fresh perspective, being new to the parliamentary arena, makes her an ideal choice for ushering in a new era for Delhi politics.

By selecting her as Delhi CM, the BJP has opted for a non-controversial politician, a woman leader, and a fresh face.

At 41, Gupta secured a decisive victory in the Shalimar Bagh constituency, winning by nearly 30,000 votes in the recent Delhi Assembly elections.

She is known for the slogan “Kaam hi Pehchaan” (my work is my identity), which she uses in her campaigns to highlight her accomplishments. Gupta was among several key Delhi BJP leaders considered for the top post.

Delhi has a history of women leaders, with Congress’s Sheila Dikshit serving for 15 years. Other women who have held the CM position in Delhi include AAP’s Atishi and BJP’s Sushma Swaraj. Atishi, who briefly held office for five months after Kejriwal’s resignation in 2024, and Swaraj, who served from October to December 1998, were key figures in Delhi’s political landscape.