Congress leader Alka Lamba reminisced about her past with Delhi’s new Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, marking their shared experiences from 1995. Both leaders were rivals during their student union elections, with Lamba from the NSUI and Gupta representing the ABVP. Lamba shared a nostalgic photo from their oath-taking ceremony and congratulated Gupta on becoming Delhi’s fourth woman Chief Minister. Lamba expressed hope for Gupta’s success, despite potential challenges within the BJP. She emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment in governance and acknowledged the significant moment for Delhi with a female leader in power again. Gupta was sworn in during a grand ceremony.
New Delhi:
Congress leader Alka Lamba reflected on her past memories with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who was sworn into office today in a lavish ceremony. The two prominent figures – one from BJP and the other from Congress – collaborated for a year in 1995.
Ms. Lamba won the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections in 1995, becoming its president representing the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), while Ms. Gupta was elected general secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) that same year.
“Hearing the announcement of Rekha Gupta as the Chief Minister of Delhi took me back 30 years. I recalled how we took the oath together. We spent an entire year working side by side…She was from ABVP, I was from NSUI. We had significant ideological disagreements. She would invite BJP members for lectures at college, while I brought in individuals with a Gandhi philosophy,” Ms. Lamba shared with NDTV.
The Congress leader also posted a photo from three decades ago showing the two taking their oaths at an event. “This cherished photo from 1995 captures the moment when Rekha Gupta and I took our oaths together. I secured the DUSU president position from NSUI, and Rekha claimed the general secretary position from ABVP. Congratulations,” she wrote.
1995 की यह यादगार तस्वीर – जब मैंने और रेखा गुप्ता ने एक साथ शपथ ग्रहण की थी-
मैंने @nsui से दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय छात्र संघ (DUSU) #अध्यक्ष पद पर जीत हासिल की थी और रेखा ने #ABVP से #महासचिव पद पर जीत हासिल की थी- रेखा गुप्ता को बधाई और शुभकामनाएँ.
दिल्ली को चौथी महिला… pic.twitter.com/csM1Rmwu9y
— Alka Lamba 🇮🇳 (@LambaAlka) February 19, 2025
However, Ms. Lamba mentioned that her last encounter with the Delhi Chief Minister-elect was in 1995.
“We have not met since, as she went on to become a councillor, and I did not. The last time I saw her was 30 years ago,” she stated.
The Congress leader commended Ms. Gupta for ascending to a significant role in the national capital. “I want her to be successful. However, she will face challenges even within the BJP. Parvesh Verma had intentions of becoming the Chief Minister himself…I hope the BJP allows her the full five years in this role,” she commented.
“We have witnessed her aggressively disrupt the podium and microphone during the elections for the Standing Committee members in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) House. Now she holds the role of Chief Minister. Managing the assembly is a substantial responsibility. I believe if she genuinely wants to do it, she can excel,” Ms. Lamba added.
Ms. Gupta is the fourth Chief Minister from the BJP in Delhi and also the fourth woman to take on this role in the capital.
“When a woman ascends to the position of Chief Minister, it brings hope for a safer environment for women in the state. Additionally, there should be financial and social empowerment for women. I’m delighted that Delhi has once again been granted a woman Chief Minister,” Ms. Lamba, who contested and lost to AAP leader and outgoing Chief Minister Atishi in the February 5 Delhi assembly election, expressed.
Ms. Gupta, who secured victory from Shalimar Bagh by defeating AAP candidate Bandana Kumari in the assembly elections, was sworn in today at an impressive ceremony at Ramlila Grounds in Delhi. The event saw the presence of Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers from 20 states, along with BJP leaders and campaign workers from various states who contributed to the Delhi election efforts.