New Delhi: In a move that reflects its penchant for unexpected choices in leadership, the Bharatiya Janata Party today unanimously appointed Rekha Gupta as the new Chief Minister of Delhi. The swearing-in ceremony is set to take place on February 20 at Ramlila Maidan, where prominent leaders from the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are anticipated to be present.
Rekha, marking her debut as a legislator, becomes the fourth woman to hold the chief ministerial position in Delhi, following in the footsteps of her immediate predecessor Atishi of the Aam Aadmi Party, Sushma Swaraj from the BJP and Sheila Dikshit from the Congress Party. Her ascension to this role signifies the BJP’s return to power in the capital after a 27-year hiatus. Gupta, representing Shalimar Bagh, was chosen as the leader during a meeting of the BJP legislature party today, heralding a new chapter in Delhi’s political landscape as the party seeks to implement its governance model after a prolonged absence.
Rekha was selected after 11 days of deliberations over the choice of the CM. The other prominent contenders for the coveted post included Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and Vijender Gupta. Today in the presence of party observers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Om Prakash Dhankar, her name was proposed by Parvesh Verma and supported by Vijender Gupta in a closed door meeting where the BJP Members of Parliament were also present.
Born on July 19, 1974, in Julana, Haryana, Rekha Gupta began her political journey in 1992 with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) while pursuing her studies at Daulat Ram College, Delhi University. Her leadership capabilities were evident during her tenure as President of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) from 1996 to 1997, where she focused on addressing student concerns. Over the years, Gupta has held various significant positions within the BJP, including General Secretary of the Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha and a member of the party’s National Executive. She made her mark in local governance by winning a councillor seat from Uttari Pitampura (Ward 54) in 2007 and successfully securing re-election from North Pitampura (Ward 54) in 2012. In a notable achievement during the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, Gupta won the Shalimar Bagh constituency, defeating Aam Aadmi Party’s Bandana Kumari by an impressive margin of 29,595 votes.
Following this success, on February 19, 2025, the BJP appointed her as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, signaling the party’s return to power in the capital after a 27-year hiatus. Gupta’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University, an LLB from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut, and master’s degrees in both arts and business administration. Her political journey is characterized by a strong commitment to grassroots engagement and exceptional organizational capabilities within the party.
In the recent Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP secured a decisive victory, winning 48 out of 70 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had governed Delhi for the past decade, managed to secure only 22 seats, with several prominent leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, losing their constituencies.
Following this remarkable achievement, on February 19, 2025, the BJP appointed her as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, marking the party’s resurgence in the capital after a 27-year-long absence from power. Gupta boasts impressive academic qualifications, holding a Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University, an LLB from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut, and master’s degrees in both arts and business administration. Her political career is defined by a deep dedication to grassroots initiatives and outstanding organizational skills within the party.
In the latest Delhi Assembly elections, the BJP claimed a significant victory, capturing 48 out of 70 seats. In contrast, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had been in control of Delhi for the last decade, only managed to secure 22 seats, with several key figures, including Arvind Kejriwal, losing their respective constituencies.
