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The political landscape of Delhi has undergone a significant shift with the appointment of Rekha Gupta as the new Chief Minister. The BJP's victory in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, securing 48 out of 70 seats, marked the end of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) decade-long reign. This victory was particularly noteworthy given the BJP's absence from power in Delhi since 1998. The election results saw several prominent AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, and Saurabh Bharadwaj, losing their respective constituencies. This decisive win paved the way for Rekha Gupta's ascension to the Chief Ministership, a position she assumed after being chosen as the Leader of the House in a BJP legislature party meeting.
The announcement of Rekha Gupta as Delhi's Chief Minister was met with a surprising response from the outgoing AAP leadership. Both Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi, former Chief Ministers under the AAP regime, publicly declared their intention to support Gupta's efforts to develop Delhi. Kejriwal's tweet, translated from Hindi, expressed his hope that Gupta would fulfill the BJP's election promises to the people of Delhi and pledged AAP's cooperation in furthering the city's development. This gesture of support, while unexpected given the intensely competitive political climate, might be interpreted as a sign of prioritizing the welfare of Delhi's citizens over partisan politics. Atishi's statement further underscored this collaborative approach by highlighting the BJP's key poll promise of providing Rs 2,500 per month to women and urging its immediate implementation.
The BJP's election campaign heavily focused on women's welfare, promising a range of financial aid and support initiatives. These included a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 for women, exceeding AAP's promise of Rs 2,100; financial assistance of Rs 21,000 for every pregnant woman; LPG cylinders priced at Rs 500; and a monthly pension of Rs 2,500 for senior citizens. These promises were central to the BJP's campaign strategy and played a crucial role in their electoral success. Following the election win, the Delhi Women and Child Development Department was immediately instructed to prepare drafts for these schemes, with plans for a press briefing to be held on International Women's Day, March 8th. The swift action taken to initiate these schemes underlines the BJP's commitment to fulfilling its electoral pledges and establishing its governance agenda.
Rekha Gupta's background is marked by significant political experience within Delhi. Having served as a Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) president and a civic body councillor, she brings considerable knowledge of local issues and a proven track record of public engagement to her new role. Her appointment as Chief Minister makes her the fourth woman to hold this position in Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj (BJP), Sheila Dikshit (Congress), and Atishi (AAP). Notably, Gupta's swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for Ramlila Maidan, will be attended by prominent political figures including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states. This highlights the importance the BJP attaches to this new chapter in Delhi's governance and the broader implications for the party's national strategy.
The transition of power in Delhi presents a complex interplay of political strategies, policy promises, and the expectations of the city's diverse population. The cooperative stance adopted by the AAP towards the newly formed BJP government indicates a potential shift in political dynamics. Whether this cooperation will continue or give way to renewed political rivalry remains to be seen. However, the success of the BJP's tenure will largely depend on its ability to deliver on the promises made during the election campaign, particularly the crucial initiatives focused on women's empowerment and welfare. The coming months will be critical in assessing the impact of this change in leadership and its consequences for the political landscape of Delhi.
Source: What Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi Said After New Chief Minister's Announcement