Rekha Gupta named Delhi Chief Minister

Rekha Gupta has been named as the next Chief Minister of Delhi, with Parvesh Verma appointed as her deputy, according to sources. Gupta will succeed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) makes a historic comeback in the national capital after a gap of more than 26 years. The party secured a decisive victory in the February 5 Assembly elections, ending AAP’s decade-long rule.

Rekha Gupta is a seasoned BJP leader with a long political career rooted in student leadership. Currently serving as the General Secretary of the Delhi BJP, the 50-year-old has previously been the National Vice President of the BJP Mahila Morcha. She won the Shalimar Bagh (North-West) seat in the 2025 Delhi Assembly Election with a decisive margin, securing 68,200 votes. A lawyer by profession, Gupta began her political journey as the President of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) from 1996 to 1997.

She later transitioned into municipal politics, winning the Delhi Councillor elections from Uttari Pitampura (Ward 54) in 2007 and securing re-election in 2012. Her tenure as the Mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation further strengthened her administrative credentials, making her a key figure in Delhi’s political landscape.

Gupta’s elevation to the chief ministerial post comes after the BJP’s sweeping victory in the Delhi Assembly elections. The party clinched 48 out of 70 seats, reducing AAP to just 22 seats in a dramatic political shift. The saffron party’s resurgence ended AAP’s decade-long dominance, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal suffering a shocking defeat in the New Delhi constituency at the hands of Parvesh Verma. Another significant loss for AAP came in Jangpura, previously held by former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Parvesh Verma, the son of former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma, emerged as the ‘giant killer’ of the election, taking down Kejriwal in a highly watched contest. His role as Deputy Chief Minister is expected to bring a mix of experience and political legacy to the new BJP-led government.

Also Read: Delhi Election Results: Swept out of SC-dominated seats in 2020, BJP wins four reserved constituencies this year

With Gupta’s appointment finalised, an elaborate oath-taking ceremony has been planned for Thursday at Ramlila Maidan. Scheduled for noon, the event is expected to be attended by senior BJP leaders, chief ministers from BJP-ruled states, and prominent personalities from various fields. Security arrangements have been heightened, and preparations are in full swing to make the occasion a grand spectacle.

Also Read: Delhi Assembly Election 2025: BJP’s historic comeback to power in the Capital after 27 years

Gupta’s elevation also makes her the only woman Chief Minister among BJP-governed states, a move seen as a significant step towards greater representation of women in the party’s leadership. As she takes charge of the capital, all eyes will be on her governance style, with key challenges ahead, including pollution control, water scarcity, and public transportation reforms. With Delhi now under BJP’s rule after over two decades, Gupta’s leadership will be crucial in shaping the city’s future and delivering on the party’s promises of development and governance reforms.