Delhi CM
BJP's first-time MLA Rekha Gupta takes oath as Delhi CM
New Delhi/IBNS: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s first-time MLA Rekha Gupta on Thursday took oath as the new Delhi Chief Minister, almost two weeks after her party swept the assembly elections and returned to power in the national capital after 27 years.
Gupta and five other ministers including 'giant killer' Parvesh Verma were administered the oath by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena in front of a sea of supporters at the Ramlila Maidan in the city.
Verma defeated AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi constituency by a few thousand votes in a major setback to the ousted party which was born out of an anti-corruption movement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several top BJP leaders, leaders of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies were present at the oath-taking ceremony.
Smt. @gupta_rekha took oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi.#दिल्ली_में_भाजपा_सरकार pic.twitter.com/HA1Zkt8fay
— BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) February 20, 2025
Gupta, who won from Shalimar Bagh defeating three-time Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Bandana Kumari in the February 5 elections, became the fourth woman CM of Delhi.
Former External Affairs Minister and BJP stalwart Sushma Swaraj, Congress giant leader Sheila Dikshit and AAP's Atishi had remained the women CMs of the city in the past.
Gupta succeeded Atishi, who took charge of the top post last year replacing AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, who stepped down in the backdrop of his alleged involvement in the liquor scam case.
Gupta is now the second woman CM in India alongside West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee.
Who is Rekha Gupta?
Rekha Gupta is a senior BJP leader from Delhi, who is known for her extensive political career and student leadership.
The 50-year-old currently serves as the General Secretary of Delhi BJP and has previously been the National Vice President of BJP's Mahila Morcha.
Her political journey commenced with student politics when she served as President of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) from 1996 to 1997.
She later moved into mainstream politics, winning the Delhi Councillor elections from Uttari Pitampura (Ward 54) in 2007 and securing re-election in 2012.
A lawyer by profession, Gupta has also served as the Mayor of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation and is a first-time MLA to get elected this time.
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