BJP names Rekha Gupta as Delhi CM, oath ceremony set for February 20
New Delhi: After a prolonged wait, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially selected Rekha Gupta as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. The announcement came on Wednesday following an extensive BJP meetup where key decisions were made.
After being named the legislative party leader and Delhi's Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta expressed her gratitude, "I thank my top leadership, PM Modi, party's national president JP Nadda, Virendra Sachdeva, observers Ravi Shankar ji and Dhankar ji, and all the party workers, who blessed me, and all the MLAs who supported me. I thank everyone..."
This move followed the appointment of two central observers—Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and BJP leader OP Dhankad—to finalise the CM candidate. They attended the Delhi BJP Legislative Party meeting, after which the name of the CM-designate was confirmed.
Who is Rekha Gupta?
Rekha Gupta emerged as a strong contender for the Delhi Chief Minister's position following her impressive victory in the Shalimar Bagh seat with a margin of 29,595 votes. A native of Jind, Haryana, Gupta has a long history in politics, beginning with her student days and deep involvement with the RSS and BJP.
Having served as the mayor of North Delhi, she brings administrative experience to the table. Currently, the general secretary of the Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha, Gupta is also a member of the party’s National Executive.
Grand oath-taking ceremony at Ramlila Maidan: 30,000 guests expected:
BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh reviewed the final preparations for the grand oath-taking ceremony of the new Delhi Chief Minister, set to take place at Ramlila Maidan on February 20, 2025. "The ceremony will begin at 11 am. Every common citizen, every poor person, will be treated as VIPs to bless PM Narendra Modi and the new cabinet," Chugh remarked. "Tomorrow, a historic event will take place in Delhi," he added.
The swearing-in ceremony will commence at 11 am, with Lt Governor VK Saxena administering the oath to Rekha Gupta and his cabinet at 12.35 pm. The event will be attended by several high-profile leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and over 50 prominent VIPs.
In addition to top political figures, the ceremony will witness a cultural program with music and songs, and around 30,000 guests have been invited. Among the guests will be BJP state Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, and leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Notably, RSS leaders, spiritual dharma gurus, industrialists, and celebrities are expected to grace the event.
The event will also see participation from Laddli Bahanas, Delhi farmers, and BJP workers from various states, who contributed to the success of the party in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.