New Delhi [India], February 20: Rekha Gupta was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Delhi at a grand ceremony held at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday. The oath of office was administered by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
Along with Rekha Gupta, six other ministers were sworn in, including Parvesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Ravinder Indraj Singh, Kapil Mishra, and Pankaj Kumar Singh.
The ceremony was attended by top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister JP Nadda, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Several union ministers and Chief Ministers from neighboring states also graced the occasion, including Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, and Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha.
Having risen through the ranks and served Delhi in various organisational capacities, Rekha Gupta is well-acquainted with the issues facing the city. As Delhi’s fourth woman Chief Minister, she is expected to take a hands-on approach, tackling challenges outlined in the BJP’s election manifesto.
Rekha Gupta, an elected MLA from Shalimar Bagh, has a strong political background. She previously served as general secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha in Delhi and was a member of its national executive committee. She played an active role in welfare initiatives for marginalized communities and women.
Her political journey began with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student body affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). She became President of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) in 1996-97 and later served as a councillor for North Pitampura in 2007, working on local development projects.
Rekha Gupta’s election as Chief Minister came after intense speculation and discussions within the party. She is the first woman CM of Delhi from the BJP, emphasizing the party’s commitment to women’s empowerment. The BJP’s victory in the Delhi assembly elections, with 48 seats out of 70, marked a historic mandate, ending the Aam Aadmi Party’s rule in the state.
During her acceptance speech, Rekha Gupta expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the BJP leadership, vowing to fulfill her responsibilities with honesty. She also emphasized her commitment to holding corrupt individuals accountable and delivering on the promises made by her party.
“It is a miracle, it is a new motivation, and a new chapter. If I can be the CM, this means ways are open for all the women… Anyone who has been corrupt will have to give an account of each and every rupee,” she said.
Gupta also stressed the importance of teamwork, stating, “All our 48 MLAs will work as a team under Modi.”
Rekha Gupta’s ascension as Delhi’s CM signifies a transformative moment for women in politics, as she becomes the only female C