BJP elects Rekha Gupta as Delhi’s chief minister
The suspense over Delhi’s next chief minister ended on Wednesday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) selected first-time MLA Rekha Gupta for the position. The decision follows the party’s return to power in the national capital after 27 years, securing 48 out of 70 seats in the assembly.
Gupta’s name was announced at the BJP’s legislature party meeting, which was attended by observers Ravi Shankar Prasad and Om Prakash Dhankhar.
Political journey and experience
Rekha Gupta has been actively involved in politics for over three decades. She began her political career with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at Daulat Ram College, Delhi University, in 1992. She later became the president of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) in 1996-97, where she played a key role in addressing student-related concerns.
Gupta has also served as the general secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha in Delhi and was a member of the party’s national executive committee.
From municipal councillor to chief minister
Gupta was first elected as a municipal councillor from North Pitampura in 2007, where she focused on improving public amenities such as libraries, parks, and swimming pools. She was re-elected in 2012 and later served as the mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), gaining valuable administrative experience.
As the head of the Women Welfare and Child Development Committee, Gupta launched several initiatives aimed at empowering women, including the “Sumedha Yojana,” which supports economically weaker female students in pursuing higher education.
Her dedication to social service has been influenced by her family’s long-standing commitment to public welfare. Over the years, she has taken on multiple responsibilities in both political and community activities.
Victory in the 2025 Delhi assembly elections
In the 2025 Delhi assembly elections, Rekha Gupta won from the Shalimar Bagh (North-West) constituency with 68,200 votes. Her victory marks a significant milestone in her political career.
She will take the oath of office as Delhi’s chief minister on Thursday at Ramlila Maidan, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other top BJP leaders.
