South Asia

Rekha Gupta sworn in as Delhi chief minister

Published: 14:59, 20 February 2025

Rekha Gupta, a first-time legislator from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) representing Shalimar Bagh, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi on February 20. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior BJP leaders.

Gupta's appointment signifies BJP's return to governance in Delhi after a gap of 27 years.
At 50 years old, she emerged victorious in the February 5 Delhi Assembly elections, securing a decisive win over Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Bandana Kumari by more than 29,000 votes.
With this appointment, Gupta becomes the fourth woman to assume the role of Chief Minister in Delhi, following in the footsteps of Sushma Swaraj, Sheila Dikshit, and Atishi. She also stands as the only woman Chief Minister currently leading a BJP-governed state.
Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, Gupta expressed her gratitude to the party's leadership. She acknowledged Prime Minister Modi’s encouragement of women in leadership roles and thanked the party for entrusting her with such a crucial responsibility. "Selecting a middle-class woman for this position is a bold step, and I am deeply honored by the confidence placed in me," she stated.
Gupta, who previously served as the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) president and a municipal councillor, was chosen as the leader of the BJP legislative party on Wednesday evening. Following this decision, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena formally invited her to establish the new government.
The swearing-in ceremony showcased BJP’s political strength, with several Union Ministers and Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states in attendance. Post the ceremony, a key National Democratic Alliance (NDA) meeting is set to take place, featuring Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other prominent ministers to discuss the party’s future course of action in the capital.