Who is Rekha Gupta! Tracing Her Journey From Councillor To Delhi CM

Rekha Gupta is set to become the new Chief Minister of Delhi after the BJP legislative party meeting finalized her name on Wednesday evening. Rekha Gupta, who rose through the ranks of the party from her days as a student leader, will become the fourth woman chief minister of Delhi.

Political Career and Rise to Power

Rekha Gupta, a seasoned BJP leader, has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of Delhi following the party's victory in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. Gupta's political journey began in student politics, where she served as the general secretary and president of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) in 1996-1997. Her grassroots experience includes two terms as a councillor, representing Uttari Pitampura in 2007 and North Pitampura in 2012. Gupta's rise within the BJP ranks led to her becoming a member of the party's national executive and the general secretary of the Delhi state unit. In the 2025 elections, she secured a decisive victory in the Shalimar Bagh constituency, defeating AAP's Bandana Kumari by a margin of 29,595 votes.

BJP's Electoral Triumph in Delhi

The BJP's return to power in Delhi after a 27-year hiatus marks a significant shift in the capital's political landscape. In the February 5, 2025 assembly elections, the BJP secured 48 out of 70 seats, ending the decade-long rule of Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which won only 22 seats. The BJP's vote share increased from 38.5% in 2020 to 45.56% in 2025, while AAP's declined from 53.6% to 43.57%. The party's victory included defeating key AAP leaders, including former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi, Manish Sisodia in Jangpura, and Saurabh Bharadwaj in Greater Kailash. This election outcome represents a dramatic reversal from the 2020 results, where AAP had won 62 seats and BJP only 8.

Gupta's Background and Qualifications

Born in 1974 in Nandgarh village, Jind district, Haryana, Rekha Gupta moved to Delhi with her family at the age of two. Her father was an officer at the State Bank of India. Gupta, now 50 years old, completed her entire education in Delhi, from primary school through higher education. Her extensive experience in student politics, organizational leadership, and governance has solidified her position within the BJP. As a first-time MLA, Gupta's appointment as Chief Minister is seen as a strategic move by the BJP, leveraging her leadership skills and party experience to govern the national capital.

Swearing-in Ceremony and Government Formation

Rekha Gupta is set to take the oath of office as Delhi's new Chief Minister on February 20, 2025, at 12:30 PM at the Ramlila Maidan. The ceremony is expected to be a high-profile event, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP-ruled state chief ministers, NDA leaders, and other prominent figures in attendance. Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency, has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister. The BJP government's formation in Delhi after 27 years is seen as a significant political comeback, with Gupta becoming the only woman chief minister in a BJP-ruled state.

Challenges and Priorities for the New Government

The newly elected BJP government in Delhi faces several challenges and priorities. One of the most pressing issues is the increasing subsidy bill, which has grown over 600% since 2014-15 to Rs 10,995.34 crore in the current financial year. The new government must balance its pre-poll promises, including monthly payments of Rs 2,500 to eligible women and increased pensions for the elderly and differently-abled, with the looming budgetary deficit projected for 2025-26. Other key priorities include providing clean drinking water, ensuring sanitation, addressing air pollution, and cleaning up the Yamuna River. The BJP has pledged to set up sewage treatment plants to tackle pollution in the Yamuna within the first 100 days in power. The party's ability to deliver on these promises while managing the city's finances will be closely watched in the coming months.