Rekha Gupta is set to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, marking a significant moment as she becomes the fourth woman to hold this position. A nostalgic photo from 1995, shared by Congress leader Alka Lamba, highlights their oath-taking as office bearers of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU). Gupta, a first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, won her seat by over 29,000 votes against AAP’s Bandana Kumari. Expressing gratitude for her new role, Gupta pledged to work with integrity for the welfare of Delhi’s citizens. She will formally take the oath on Thursday at Ramlila Maidan.
New Delhi:
As Rekha Gupta prepares for her swearing-in ceremony as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, an old photo from three decades ago featuring her taking an oath at a different event is circulating on social media. The image, posted on X by Congress leader Alka Lamba, captures the two leaders taking their oaths together as office bearers of Delhi University Students Union (DUSU).
Ms. Lamba congratulated Ms. Gupta with the caption, “This cherished photo from 1995 – when Rekha Gupta and I took our oaths together. I secured the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) Adhyaksh position from NSUI, while Rekha won the MahaSachiv position from ABVP. Congratulations.”
“Congrats to Delhi for welcoming its fourth woman Chief Minister; we #dillii hope that #maa Yamuna will be clean and our daughters safe,” she added.
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
Alka Lamba successfully won the DUSU elections in 1995 and became its president representing NSUI, while Rekha Gupta was elected as general secretary from ABVP that same year. Ms. Gupta later became the President of the Delhi University Students’ Union in 1996.
In the recent Delhi assembly elections held on February 5, Ms. Lamba contested against AAP leader and outgoing chief minister Atishi, but unfortunately did not win, marking a significant comeback for BJP in the national capital.
Rekha Gupta, a newcomer MLA from Shalimar Bagh, secured a decisive victory against AAP’s Bandana Kumari with a margin exceeding 29,000 votes.
This evening, Rekha Gupta claimed her right to form the government in Delhi soon after being chosen as the Leader of the House during a BJP legislative party meeting. Following the announcement, she expressed her gratitude: “I wholeheartedly thank the top leadership for their trust and responsibility in appointing me as Chief Minister. This trust and support have invigorated me with new energy and inspiration. I commit to work with utmost honesty, integrity, and dedication towards the welfare, empowerment, and comprehensive development of every citizen in Delhi. I am fully dedicated to this crucial opportunity to elevate Delhi to new heights”.
Her appointment marks her as the fourth woman Chief Minister of Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj from BJP, Sheila Dikshit from Congress, and Atishi from AAP.
Rekha Gupta is set to take the oath of office on Thursday at Ramlila Maidan, as the BJP forms a government in Delhi for the first time in 27 years. The party achieved a historic victory winning 48 seats earlier this month, dethroning the Aam Aadmi Party from governance.