Rekha Gupta has been chosen as Delhi’s Chief Minister by the BJP, drawing immediate support from AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi. They expressed hope that Gupta will fulfill the BJP’s promises to the public, including financial aid for women, which is set to be announced on International Women’s Day, March 8. The BJP won the 2025 assembly elections, ending AAP’s decade-long rule in Delhi, with women’s issues central to their campaign. Gupta, a former Delhi University Students’ Union president, will be the fourth woman to serve as Chief Minister and the only female incumbent in a BJP-ruled state.
New Delhi:
Following the BJP’s selection of Rekha Gupta as Delhi’s Chief Minister, messages of “support” poured in from her predecessors. AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi, both former chief ministers of Delhi, responded almost immediately to the announcement, expressing their commitment to “support her in every endeavor aimed at the development of Delhi’s populace.”
Both leaders expressed hope that the new Chief Minister and the BJP would deliver on all the commitments made to the citizens of Delhi.
दिल्ली की मुख्यमंत्री बनने पर रेखा गुप्ता जी को बहुत बहुत बधाई। मैं उम्मीद करता हूँ कि दिल्ली की जनता को किए गए सारे वादे वे पूरे करेंगी। दिल्ली की जनता के विकास और भले के हर कार्य में हम उन्हें सहयोग करेंगे।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 19, 2025
In a reminder about a significant electoral promise, outgoing Chief Minister Atishi stated, “We hope that the Rs 2,500 per month that the BJP pledged to women will be deposited into the accounts of all women by March 8.”
मैं, रेखा गुप्ता जी को मुख्यमंत्री बनने पर बधाई देती हूँ। मुझे उम्मीद है कि भाजपा ने दिल्ली की जनता से जो भी वादे किए हैं, वो उन्हें पूरा करेगी। आम आदमी पार्टी दिल्ली के विकास कार्यों के लिए भाजपा को अपना समर्थन देने के लिए हमेशा तैयार है।
हम उम्मीद करते हैं कि बीजेपी ने महिलाओं… pic.twitter.com/wzBSt09x7f
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 19, 2025
Read | All About Rekha Gupta, Delhi’s Fourth Woman Chief Minister
Women At Centre Of BJP’s Poll Promises
The BJP, which had been out of power in Delhi since 1998, emerged victorious in the 2025 assembly elections by securing 48 out of 70 seats, bringing an end to AAP’s decade-long governance. Notably, prominent AAP leaders such as Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, and Saurabh Bharadwaj lost their respective constituencies.
Throughout the campaign for the Delhi assembly elections, women’s issues were central to the BJP’s strategy. The party pledged Rs 2,500 in monthly assistance for women, exceeding AAP’s offer of Rs 2,100, as well as financial aid of Rs 21,000 for every pregnant woman, LPG cylinders priced at Rs 500, and a Rs 2,500 pension for senior citizens.
As reported by news agency PTI, the Delhi Women and Child Development Department has been directed to prepare drafts by Thursday for women-centric schemes.
An official mentioned that the department will hold a press conference on International Women’s Day, March 8, to announce these initiatives and provide related details.
Rekha Gupta met with Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena this evening to assert her claim to form a government after being appointed Leader of the House during a BJP legislature party meeting attended by all 48 newly-elected BJP MLAs and central observers Ravi Shankar Prasad and OP Dhankar. The first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh expressed gratitude to the central leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and all BJP MLAs for the responsibility, vowing to “elevate Delhi to new heights” after her selection, which concluded an eleven-day period of uncertainty regarding the chief ministerial candidate.
She, along with her cabinet, will take the oath of office at Ramlila Maidan tomorrow. Key political figures, including PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and chief ministers from BJP-ruled states, are expected to be present for the ceremony.
The 50-year-old Rekha Gupta will become the fourth female Chief Minister of the capital, following Sushma Swaraj (BJP), Sheila Dikshit (Congress), and Atishi (AAP). Ms. Gupta – a former president of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) and civic body councillor – will also be the only female chief minister currently serving in any BJP-governed state upon her swearing-in tomorrow.