Rekha Gupta will be inaugurated as Delhi’s ninth Chief Minister on Thursday, becoming the fourth woman to hold this position. She emphasizes that her appointment is a victory for “all the sisters and daughters of this country,” prioritizing women’s rights. In Delhi’s assembly elections, the BJP, under her leadership, campaigned heavily on women’s issues, offering financial support surpassing that of the AAP. Gupta, who won her seat in Shalimar Bagh, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the party for this opportunity. The BJP secured 48 seats, marking a significant victory over the AAP, while Congress remains unrepresented.
New Delhi:
On Thursday, Rekha Gupta will be sworn in as Delhi’s ninth Chief Minister, marking her as the fourth woman to occupy this role in the national capital. In an interview with NDTV, she stated that this achievement symbolizes recognition for “all the sisters and daughters of this country”.
Ms. Gupta emphasized that addressing women’s issues will be her primary focus and she conveyed a strong message to them: “Their fight for their rights… they will get their rights”.
As the Delhi assembly elections approached, women’s concerns were central to the BJP’s campaign strategy. The party has committed to providing Rs 2,500 monthly assistance for women, exceeding AAP’s pledge of Rs 2,100, as well as financial support of Rs 21,000 for every expectant mother, LPG cylinders priced at Rs 500, and a pension of Rs 2,500 for senior citizens.
At the age of 50, Ms. Gupta expressed her appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the party leadership, and the residents of Delhi for entrusting her with this responsibility, vowing to dedicate every moment to meeting the challenges ahead.
“I am grateful to PM Modi, the BJP leadership, and the people of Delhi for this opportunity. After 27 years, a new chapter is starting. This is a proud moment for women across the country. We are ready to form the government… fulfilling every commitment of the BJP is the ultimate goal of my life,” she stated.
Rekha Gupta, who secured her win in Shalimar Bagh by defeating AAP candidate Bandana Kumari with a margin of over 29,000 votes, is among the top contenders for the chief ministership. She will take her oath of office in a grand ceremony at the Ramlila Ground on Thursday, where prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and fellow NDA state chief ministers are anticipated to be present.
She was appointed as the Leader of the House in the Delhi Assembly during a BJP legislature party meeting held late in the evening, as announced by senior BJP leader Ravishankar Prasad, who, along with OP Dhankar, was designated as one of the party’s two central observers on Wednesday.
Ms. Gupta, at 50, subsequently met with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to claim the mandate to form the government.
While there has been no official communication regarding the appointment of a deputy chief minister within the BJP government, party insiders have indicated that all communities will be represented in the cabinet. The maximum number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, in Delhi is capped at seven.
She will be the fourth Chief Minister from the BJP in Delhi, following in the footsteps of Madan Lal Khurana, Sahib Singh Verma, and Sushma Swaraj.
In the recent Delhi assembly elections, the BJP achieved a historic victory, securing 48 seats and displacing the Aam Aadmi Party from power, while Congress failed to win any seats.