Rekha Gupta takes oath as Delhi Chief minister

Rekha Gupta, a first-time legislator from the BJP, was sworn in as Delhi’s chief minister on Thursday, marking the party’s return to power in the capital after more than 26 years.

Along with Gupta, Parvesh Verma, Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, Ravinder Indraj Singh, Kapil Mishra and Pankaj Singh were also administered the oath of office by Lt Governor V K Saxena.

The oath-taking ceremony, held at the historic Ramlila Ground, was a grand affair attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leaders, and chief ministers from the NDA alliance. Gupta, 50, becomes Delhi’s fourth woman chief minister and the only female leader in the NDA’s current lineup of CMs.

Rekha Gupta defeated AAP candidate Bandana Kumari by over 29,000 votes from the Shalimar Bagh seat in the February 5 Assembly polls. Notably, Gupta contested the Shalimar Bagh seat in both the 2015 and 2020 Delhi elections but was defeated by AAP’s Bandana Kumari in both years.

A seasoned BJP leader, Gupta has held several key positions, including president and general secretary of the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU). She has also served as general secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha in Delhi and as a member of the party’s national executive committee.

Her political journey began in 1992 with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at Daulat Ram College, Delhi University. She rose through the ranks, becoming DUSU president in 1996-97, where she actively championed student-related issues.

Elected as a councillor from North Pitampura in 2007, Gupta focused on improving public amenities, including libraries, parks, and swimming pools. She secured re-election in 2012 and later served as the mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), gaining significant administrative experience.

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

Gupta is also known for her efforts in women’s empowerment. She launched the “Sumedha Yojana”, a scheme aimed at supporting economically weaker female students in pursuing higher education. As chairperson of the Women Welfare and Child Development Committee, she spearheaded several initiatives to uplift women and marginalised communities.

With her extensive grassroots experience and leadership roles, Gupta’s elevation to the top post is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to strengthen its hold in the national capital.